wraggster
June 15th, 2013, 22:53
A proposal from the European Commission could see mobile roaming charges scrapped for calls, texts and data access by the middle of 2014, Mobile News (http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/2013/06/14/eu-proposes-ending-mobile-roaming-charges-by-mid-2014/) has reported.
Designed to encourage the merging of European operators, the body is made up of representatives from each of the EU’s 27 members. It is also hoped that such a move would enable operators to invest in the improvements of their networks.
Should the proposal come to fruition and mobile roaming charges be binned altogether across the EU, holidaymakers would no longer have to pay anymore to use their phone abroad than they would at home.
However, according to a source cited by the Telegraph, European officials forecast that operator revenues could drop by two per cent if the charges are indeed scrapped.
News of the proposal has been warmly received by comparison site uSwitch.com, stating that the move would help prevent mobile users from being stung by shock bills.
uSwitch telecoms expert Ernest Doku said: “Our research shows that 15% of Brits have unfortunately arrived home from holiday to massive phone bills – averaging £120 each on top of their typical monthly bills – due to roaming charges racked up on foreign turf.
“For those jetsetting within the EU where roaming charges are now capped, there is some protection, but 12 per cent of Brits holidaying in Europe have still managed to clock up big roaming bills.
“Scrapping all roaming charges in EU countries is a real win for consumers. Not only will we be better protected from bill shock, but the doors will be open to foreign networks looking for a piece of the market in Britain, which could mean cheaper mobile deals too.
“But Brits still need to be extremely careful when using mobiles in non-EU countries where there is still no protection at all.”
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/index.php/news/read/eu-proposes-scrapping-of-mobile-roaming-charges-by-july-2014/021612
Designed to encourage the merging of European operators, the body is made up of representatives from each of the EU’s 27 members. It is also hoped that such a move would enable operators to invest in the improvements of their networks.
Should the proposal come to fruition and mobile roaming charges be binned altogether across the EU, holidaymakers would no longer have to pay anymore to use their phone abroad than they would at home.
However, according to a source cited by the Telegraph, European officials forecast that operator revenues could drop by two per cent if the charges are indeed scrapped.
News of the proposal has been warmly received by comparison site uSwitch.com, stating that the move would help prevent mobile users from being stung by shock bills.
uSwitch telecoms expert Ernest Doku said: “Our research shows that 15% of Brits have unfortunately arrived home from holiday to massive phone bills – averaging £120 each on top of their typical monthly bills – due to roaming charges racked up on foreign turf.
“For those jetsetting within the EU where roaming charges are now capped, there is some protection, but 12 per cent of Brits holidaying in Europe have still managed to clock up big roaming bills.
“Scrapping all roaming charges in EU countries is a real win for consumers. Not only will we be better protected from bill shock, but the doors will be open to foreign networks looking for a piece of the market in Britain, which could mean cheaper mobile deals too.
“But Brits still need to be extremely careful when using mobiles in non-EU countries where there is still no protection at all.”
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/index.php/news/read/eu-proposes-scrapping-of-mobile-roaming-charges-by-july-2014/021612