Roaming is over: a victory for consumers and a stepping stone towards a truly European digital single market

Following an agreement reached with the Council of the EU, the European Parliament adopted today the proposed regulation aimed at eliminating roaming fees (i.e. charged onto consumers when they use their mobile phone outside their home country). The text foresees that from June 2017 onwards, all European consumers will pay the same price for calls, texts and mobile data, regardless of whether they are travelling in the EU or staying at home. This regulation is part of the wider push for the furthering of the digital single market, which is one of the top priorities of the European Commission. From 2004 to 2009, Viviane Reding, at the time Commissioner for Information Society and Media, was the first one to tackle these unjustified fees. By means of three successive legislations, maximum price caps were implemented, thereby reducing roaming charges by more than 90%.

Viviane Reding stated: "Through thick and thin, the European Parliament sealed the end of roaming. From 15 June 2017 onwards, using a mobile phone abroad will not be more expensive than at home anymore, for calls, texts and mobile data. While mobile phones revolutionise our lives, the way we consume and communicate, the European Parliament facilitates them with concrete measures against unjustified fees, charged when we cross borders. Nasty surprises on your bills when you return from holidays or professional travels will soon be nothing more than a bad memory."

"Personally, I am proud to have fought tirelessly in the face of staunch opposition from telecom operators and Member States, eager to preserve this financial windfall. In 2004, at the time Commissioner for Information Society and Media, I made an alarming observation: to make a phone call from abroad with a mobile phone cost 4 times more than a domestic call. 13 years and 4 legislations later, both will be at the same price. That's very good news!" added the Member of the European Parliament.

She concluded: "The fight is not over yet. I will now strive to tackle roaming fees charged outside Europe as well as international calls from one EU country to another. Today's vote sends a clear signal: the fragmentation of the telecoms market in 28 national markets is costly for consumers and operators alike. Borders do not belong in the digital sector. The end of roaming is a success for Europeans, a personal pride and a pledge for a digital Europe".