The European Commission has proposed a cap on mobile data roaming fees after increased concern at high mobile phone bills faced by many tourists. This would help meet the 2015 target set by the EU’s digital agenda for a seamless communications market – to eliminate the large differences between domestic and roaming rates.
The rules would require domestic operators to allow other providers access to their networks at regulated wholesale prices.
Consumers would also be able to switch from their domestic operator to another roaming provider. The switch would be automatic – without a change of phone number or SIM card.
At present, according to the Commission, the average fee currently is 2.23 euros, or $3.22, a megabyte. The proposed cap on fee, if passed would start on 1st July 2012 at 90 euro cents falling to 70 a year later and 50 euro cents by July 1, 2014.
More information on roaming