European mobile networks are now required to reduce the price of mobile roaming calls in line with EU policy that comes into force from today.
The EU-regulated "Eurotarrif" will mean outgoing calls cost no more than 35 cents per minute, while incoming calls are capped at just 11 cents per minute. This will be the last of the regulated price cuts under the EU Roaming Regulation, due to end in June next year.
The caps were first introduced in 2007 and revised in 2009, but a lack of success and user demand has meant the EU is going back to the drawing board for a rethink after this final phase.
This week, the EU Commission released a report explaining its change of heart. It revealed while previous price cuts have temporarily reduced roaming prices during the regulated period, the measures taken have not successfully combatted the lack of competition, meaning prices haven't really moved far from retail.
The EU believes the difference between roaming and national telecoms tariffs should approach zero by 2015 and the commission will soon present an alterative proposal for a "long-term solution to the structural problems" in call, text and data roaming.
"These new price caps will temporarily reduce retail prices for making and receiving voice calls when in another EU country during the coming year. We have to tackle roaming problems at the root with a long lasting structural approach," said Neelie Kroes, EU Commission vice president for the Digital Agenda.
"The commission will therefore be coming forward very shortly with comprehensive new proposals for long-term solutions to address the underlying problem of lack of competition in roaming markets."
-
Cisco sounds alarm over new Russian malware campaign hitting firms in US and EuropeNews UAT-11795 is weaponizing legitimate software such as WebEx and Zoom to dupe victims
-
Why doesn't more data produce better results?ITPro Podcast Riverbed CIO Fernando Castanheira talks about data and how businesses can use it better
-
Startup founders lament 'regulatory friction' despite EU simplification effortsNews Entrepreneurs are spending a fortune on compliance, and it’s forcing some to consider relocating
-
AWS says cloud market gatekeeper designation risks ‘deterring European investment and innovation’ as EU regulators plot competition crackdownNews Gatekeeper designation under the legislation would force AWS and Microsoft to make concessions
-
‘This closes a gap that has caused real uncertainty in the market’: Changes to EU AI Act implementation deadlines welcomed by industryNews New implementation deadlines for the EU AI Act could help remove “genuine friction” for European companies
-
European Commission approves data flows with UK for another six years
News The European Commission says the UK can have seamless data flows for another six years despite recent rule changes
-
Three things you need to know about the EU Data Act ahead of this week's big compliance deadline
News A host of key provisions in the EU Data Act will come into effect on 12 September, and there’s a lot for businesses to unpack.
-
The second enforcement deadline for the EU AI Act is approaching – here’s what businesses need to know about the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice
News General-purpose AI model providers will face heightened scrutiny
-
Meta isn’t playing ball with the EU on the AI ActNews Europe is 'heading down the wrong path on AI', according to Meta, with the company accusing the EU of overreach
-
‘Confusing for developers and bad for users’: Apple launches appeal over ‘unprecedented’ EU fineNews Apple is pushing back against new app store rules imposed by the European Commission, suggesting a €500m fine is a step too far.
