Brussels, 15/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - MEPs on the industry and energy (ITRE) committee voted by 50 to 12, with 1 abstention, on Wednesday 15 July to approve the trialogue agreement with the Council of the EU and the European Commission on abolishing roaming charges and internet neutrality (see EUROPE 11357). The agreement states that, with effect from 15 June 2017, calling abroad or watching a football match on a mobile phone while in another member state will cost the consumers exactly the same as if they were in their own country. Charges should begin to fall next year.
Pilar del Castillo Vera (EPP, Spain), the rapporteur on the telecoms package, said the agreement is a major achievement for the European Parliament. She stated that the agreement had brought an end to roaming charges and guaranteed a free internet.
The full European Parliament will now have to endorse the text agreed. The vote will be held in the autumn, probably during the October plenary session. If approved, the legislation will become applicable from 30 April 2016. Member states' ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) approved the text on 8 July (see EUROPE 11354). (Isabelle Lamberty)