- Home » Moving Abroad News » Mobile roaming charges expected to fall
Mobile roaming charges expected to fall
Mobile roaming charges expected to fall
| Published: | 2 Mar at 3 PM |
It could soon be cheaper to use mobile phones when travelling to other countries within the European Union, reports the BBC.
MEPs have voted for a significant reduction in the price which companies can charge for texts and calls and – for the first ever time – to introduce a maximum charge for data usage. The move comes as the latest in long running attempts by EU officials to raise mobile roaming competition in the eurozone.
The MEP committee says it wants staged reductions so, by 1 July 2014, mobile operators will not be permitted to charge roaming customers more than 15 cents (12p) per minute for a call; five cents (four pence) for a text; and 20 (16p) per megabyte for data.
EU officials claim that previous efforts to put price measures in place have been unable to increase competition between operators. At present, the limit for charges on making a call is roughly 30p, while it is nine pence for a text. However, there is no cap in place per megabyte for data.
In addition to cutting usage costs, MEPs could also support a plan to allow new kinds of mobile contracts in an attempt to create a roaming market in the EU. It would enable customers to sign roaming contracts, separate from their normal provider, but keep the same number.
MEPs have voted for a significant reduction in the price which companies can charge for texts and calls and – for the first ever time – to introduce a maximum charge for data usage. The move comes as the latest in long running attempts by EU officials to raise mobile roaming competition in the eurozone.
The MEP committee says it wants staged reductions so, by 1 July 2014, mobile operators will not be permitted to charge roaming customers more than 15 cents (12p) per minute for a call; five cents (four pence) for a text; and 20 (16p) per megabyte for data.
EU officials claim that previous efforts to put price measures in place have been unable to increase competition between operators. At present, the limit for charges on making a call is roughly 30p, while it is nine pence for a text. However, there is no cap in place per megabyte for data.
In addition to cutting usage costs, MEPs could also support a plan to allow new kinds of mobile contracts in an attempt to create a roaming market in the EU. It would enable customers to sign roaming contracts, separate from their normal provider, but keep the same number.
