Today is the first day of cheaper texting, calling and surfing the web while abroad within the EU, with bthe introduction of new European Commission rules.
From today, sending a text message from abroad in the EU will cost a maximum of 0.11 (0.09), almost three times cheaper than the previous EU average of 0.28 (excl. VAT). To make a roaming call in another EU country must not cost more than 0.43 per minute, and to receive a call, no more than no more than 0.19. Outgoing roaming calls will be charged by the second, after the first 30 seconds, rather than by the minute, and incoming calls will be charged by the second from the first second.
Holidaymakers and business travellers can also use data roaming more without fear of bill shocks, the EU says, thanks to a wholesale cap of 1 per megabyte (MB) downloaded. The new rules also include a cut-off mechanism once the bill reaches 50 Euro, unless the mobile user chooses another cut-off limit (A German consumer who downloaded a TV programme while roaming in France recently came home to a bill for 46,000.) The EU says that these measures combined are expected to cut roaming charges for EU consumers by a further 60% and increase mobile phone use.
From 1 July, all Europeans making calls or sending texts with their mobiles can experience the EU's single market without borders, says EU Telecoms Commissioner, Viviane Reding
The roaming-rip off is now coming to an end thanks to the determined action of the European Commission, the European Parliament and all 27 EU Member States. I expect the new EU roaming rules to make it much cheaper to surf the web on your mobile while abroad in the EU.
Noting that the EU rules are limited to reducing inter-operator charges, Commissioner Reding is also calling on the mobile industry to pass these savings on to data roaming customers swiftly.
The Commission and national regulators will monitor data roaming charges very carefully and assess next year whether the roaming market is finally becoming competitive, she says.