EU Votes To End Roaming Fees, Expand Consumer Rights

The European Parliament on 3 April voted to end roaming charges by Christmas 2015, as part of a wider vote in support of the Commission’s proposed regulation for a “Connected Continent” (telecoms single market).

“Nearly all of us depend on mobile and Internet connections as part of our daily lives. We should know what we are buying, we should not be ripped-off, and we should have the opportunity to change our mind,” European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said.

Seamless communications for Europeans

The “Connected Continent” telecoms Regulation was proposed by the Commission in September 2013. It aims to bring Europeans much closer to a truly single market for telecoms in the EU, by ending roaming charges, guaranteeing an open Internet for all by banning blocking and degrading of content, coordinating spectrum licensing for wireless broadband, giving Internet and broadband customers more transparency in their contracts, and making it easier for customers to switch providers.

Beyond the highly visible barrier of roaming the European Parliament are now close to removing many other barriers so Europeans can enjoy open, seamless communications wherever they are.

“Companies should have the chance to serve all of us, and this regulation makes it easier for them to do that. It’s win-win,” Ms. Kroes said.

EU Member States will now continue to review the regulation and the Commission expects final agreement of the Regulation by end of 2014.

“This vote is the EU delivering for citizens. This is what the EU is all about – getting rid of barriers to make life easier and less expensive,” the European Commission Vice President underlined.