The EU will extend the Roam Like At Home program for a further ten years, as planned on Thursday.
The legislation, following the end of roaming surcharges in 2017 and agreed by Parliament and Council in December, means consumers will continue to be able to use their mobile phones when traveling abroad in the EU at no extra charge on top of what they already pay at home .
. "Roam Like At Home" program
In addition, they will enjoy the same quality and speed of a mobile connection abroad as at home. Roaming providers will be required to offer the same quality of roaming as offered domestically, if the same conditions are available on the visiting country's network. In negotiations with the Council, MEPs secured a provision in the new regulations prohibiting practices that reduce the quality of roaming services (e.g. by changing the connection from 4G to 3G).
Free access to emergency services
Travelers and people with disabilities will have access to emergency services at no extra cost - be it by phone or text messaging, including caller location information. Operators will also have to provide information on the European emergency number 112.
Call to end subsidies for intra-EU calls
During talks with ministers of member states, the deputies demanded the abolition of subsidies for intra-EU calls (e.g. from Belgium to Italy). All because consumers are still confused about the difference between roaming and intra-EU calls. Intra-EU calls are currently capped at 19 cents per minute. The agreement stipulates that the Commission will look into this and assess whether a further reduction of the ceilings is necessary.
Wholesale roaming charges will remain limited to EUR 2 per gigabyte. But from 2022 and will be gradually reduced to EUR 1 in 2027. Operators charge each other when their customers use different networks. If consumers exceed their contractual limits when roaming, any additional charges cannot be higher than the wholesale roaming limits.
Chairwoman Angelika Winzig (PPE, AT) said
“Walking at home is an unprecedented European success story. It shows how we all benefit directly from the EU's single market. We have succeeded in reducing costs even further and improving the quality of services for all European citizens and businesses. While roaming, they will now experience the same quality of service and data speeds as they do at home. Deliberate slowdown in data rates will no longer be allowed. At the same time, by significantly lowering the wholesale limits, we create greater fairness and competition in the telecommunications market. With this regulation, we are taking another important step towards a true European Digital Single Market. Everything for a successful, strong and effective European Union of the future ”.
Next steps
The act was adopted by 581 votes to 2, with 5 abstentions. Now it will have to be formally approved by the Council to enter into force.
Roaming at no extra charge. Background
The Roaming Regulation established the 'Roam-Like-At-Home' principle, which required the end of EU roaming surcharges on 15 June 2017. The regulation now applies until 30 June 2022. Five years after the adoption of the regulation in 2015. Commission reviewed the program to assess its impact and the need for its extension.
Source: European Parliament
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