03/05/2023 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission announced on Wednesday 3 May that 38 telecoms operators in the EU and the Western Balkans have committed to reducing roaming charges for data use, in both directions, between the EU and the Western Balkans. “This voluntary agreement will bring predictability, help eliminate bill shocks for consumers and facilitate a substantial reduction in data roaming fees for consumers in the EU and the Western Balkans”, commented European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Olivér Várhelyi. The agreement will be effective from 1 October 2023. The maximum retail price for 1 gigabyte will increase to €18 from that date. From 2026 onwards, the price will be €14, rising to €9 in 2028. Annual reviews will be conducted to analyse the impact of this agreement. (TM)