Published: Thu, 07 April 2016
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Mobile phone customers who use their phone abroad will notice significant savings on their bills from the end of this month as operators continue the transition to the total elimination of roaming fees, according to Seán Kelly MEP.
“From 30 April 2016, mobile phone operators will have to substantially reduce roaming fees and will only be permitted to charge a small additional amount on top of normal domestic fees when customers roam. Users will only be charged up to 5 cent per minute of calls made, 2 cent per SMS and 5 cent per MB of data (ex VAT),” Mr Kelly confirmed in Brussels today (Tuesday).
“This reduction is in line with what was agreed at EU level last year and is part of the transition towards the complete abolition of roaming charges by June 15th 2017,” continued the Ireland South MEP who campaigned for the abolishment of roaming charges since 2009.
The April reductions mean roaming on your mobile phone will up to four times less expensive than previously.
“By next June, extortionate roaming charges will be a thing of the past. Absolutely no extra roaming charges will be allowed to be applied in the EU from that time. Consumers will no longer be ripped off when paying for mobile calls, texts and data when they travel to another EU Member State, including across the border to Northern Ireland.
“We operate in a Single Market in Europe. It is nonsensical and a total abuse of power over consumers that they were subjected to outrageous roaming charges when travelling in another EU country.
“This is a clear example of the effectiveness of the EU in action,” said Mr Kelly, who called on UK citizens to consider this in terms of the upcoming referendum on EU membership.
