Published: Fri, 29 April 2016
Share this
Saturday (30th April) will signal a significant cut in mobile roaming fees across Europe, ahead of the total abolition of the charges by June 2017, Seán Kelly MEP said today.
“From 30th April 2016, mobile phone operators can only charge a small additional amount on top of normal domestic fees when customers roam in another EU country. Users will only be charged up to 5 cent per minute of calls made (reduced from 19c), 2 cent per SMS (down from 5c) and 5 cent per MB of data (down from 20c) excluding VAT,” said Mr Kelly.
“These are the maximum charges that can be applied from this weekend until next June – consumers should shop around to see which operator is being most reasonable too!
“The reduction is in line with what was agreed at EU level last year, ahead of the complete abolition of roaming charges by June 15th 2017,” added the Ireland South MEP who campaigned for the abolishment of roaming charges since 2009.
“Absolutely no extra roaming charges will be allowed to be applied in the EU from June 15th next year. Consumers will no longer be ripped off with extortionate fees for mobile calls, texts and data when they travel to another EU Member State, including crossing the border into Northern Ireland.”
The abolition of roaming charges for mobile users in Europe is a logical, consumer-friendly step that will benefit holidaymakers and business travellers alike, according to Mr Kelly.
“It is especially important that the fee charged on data usage is being greatly reduced. With our reliance on smart phones, email and other apps that require data use to communicate, it is essential than users can browse online without returning home to huge bills. Again, this extra roaming charge on data will be totally abolished from next June – an important step for our Digital Single Market.”
