Lower voice and data roaming prices could soon be enjoyed by EU citizens thanks to fresh proposals from the European Commission.
The EC today recommended a call cap of 0.24, 0.10 for the receiving of a call, 0.10 for a sent text message and 0.50 for each MB of data downloaded.
Changes would also allow customers to sign up to a separate, cheaper mobile roaming contract for the time they are abroad, whilst keeping the same phone number.
Mobile operators would be allowed to use other operators' networks at regulated wholesale prices, which the EC believes will encourage greater competition in the roaming market.
All the changes would be enforced by 1 July 2014 if the proposals were ratified.
"This proposal tackles the root cause of the problem - the lack of competition on roaming markets - by giving customers more choice and by giving alternative operators easier access to the roaming market," said Neelie Kroes, EC vice president for the Digital Agenda.
"It would also immediately bring down prices for data roaming, where operators currently enjoy outrageous profit margins."
Vodafone, whilst not willing to openly dispute the proposals, claimed price caps had not benefited competition in the past. The company said it was already offering prices cheaper than the caps.
"If an industry is competitive then it will be beneficial for customers," a Vodafone spokesperson told IT Pro.
"Roaming price caps have not encouraged competition or driven innovation in the past."
-
Enterprise AI adoption is about to get the Big Brother treatmentOpinion Worried your staff aren’t using those shiny AI tools you petitioned for? Big tech has you covered
-
Dreamforce 2025: What's an agentic OS?ITPro Podcast NPUs, e-ink, and immersive headsets are the latest hardware innovations for business devices
-
Three things you need to know about the EU Data Act ahead of this week's big compliance deadlineNews 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.
-
Apple, Meta hit back at EU after landmark DMA finesNews The European Commission has issued its first penalties under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), fining Apple €500 million and Meta €200m.
-
‘Europe could do it, but it's chosen not to do it’: Eric Schmidt thinks EU regulation will stifle AI innovation – but Britain has a huge opportunityNews Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt believes EU AI regulation is hampering innovation in the region and placing enterprises at a disadvantage.
-
The EU just shelved its AI liability directive
News The European Commission has scrapped plans to introduce the AI Liability Directive aimed at protecting consumers from harmful AI systems.
-
A big enforcement deadline for the EU AI Act just passed – here's what you need to know
News The first set of compliance deadlines for the EU AI Act passed on the 2nd of February, and enterprises are urged to ramp up preparations for future deadlines.
