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European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes today called the total elimination of roaming charge fees across the EU.
Kroes’s comments were made as the Commission confirmed that from 1 July, price caps for data downloads are being cut by over 50% across the EU from 45c/MB to 20c/MB.
From 1 July, mobile providers can also offer specific roaming deals before you travel.
The European Commission said today that is continuing work on developing new rules to eliminate roaming charges completely within the EU. Kroes said that while the upcoming drop in roaming charges will make a big difference to people travelling this summer, “it is not enough”.
Why should we have roaming charges at all in a single market? By the end of this year I hope we see the complete end of roaming charges agreed – the Parliament has done their part, now it is up to member states to seal the deal.
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If there were more policies like these that benefit all citizens in Europe rather than big, undemocratic policies, maybe some people will be less Eurosceptic.
This directly affects the pockets of MEP’s and other EP staff who do a fair be of travel that’s why they give it so much attention. It’s amazing what can be achieved with the right motivation.
The EU produces plenty of good policies like this e.g. the Consumer Rights Directive a couple of weeks ago. The problem is that national politicians claim credit for the good stuff but blame the EU when politically expedient.
Philip, I would think that the mobiles of the MEP’s would be paid by the parliament anyway and it wouldn’t really matter to them how much the calls cost. If you can park your cynicism, I think you might agree this is a genuinely progressive and sensible measure.
This Neelie Kroes woman has done more for the ordinary European in her years as Commissioner for Digital Development than the rest of the Commission and the Parliament put together.
Why can we not have more like her? I feel that from a pool of 506 million citizens, it’s fairly reasonable to expect that we can have better than what the rest of them do for us.
Three has gotten rid of roaming to certain countries like UK Austria Italy etc. Google three like home. Tis da job.
I know it’s great. Can use the phone and the iPad in The UK like I was at home! Tis da job is right!
Would this mean I could potentially buy a phone on bill pay anywhere in the EU and use it here in the future? That would be nice.
How about the EU get rid of the rip off VRT in Ireland.
I like Neelie Kroes
Another lesser-known feature of the “connected continent legislative package” is the elimination of international call charges for fixed-line calls within the EU. While we have various apps to work around the current situation, dialling a phone number is still the only universal option.
We’ll O2 sent me this a little bit of a different Good news! EU roaming rates are coming down from July 1. Call Ireland and the EU for 23.37c p/min + receive calls for 6.15c p/min. Send SMS for 7.38c + send MMS for 24.6c. Data is 24.6c per MB. Rates inc.VAT. More info at O2.ie/roaming. From O2
They seem to be charging the rates set out from 1st July plus 23% VAT on top.
Sound great, but 48 still haven’t implemented it, still 9c to send a text!
No more roaming charges….well I will be damed !! ha ! The EU strikes again….what a load of bol****
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