Data
roaming charges to be abolished
The
European Union has reiterated its pledge to wipe out unpopular roaming charges
for mobile phone users after voting to outlaw the tariffs by the summer of 2017.
Unsuspecting
travellers can rack up bills running to hundreds of pounds
Report in
the Times - EU vows to outlaw mobile phone roaming charges. More
Report
on BBC website - Data roaming charges are set to be abolished within the European
Union by June 2017. More
Posted: 150701
|  | Nic
Houslip reports his local MEP, Daniel Dalton, sent out a news item yesterday with
the headline "Data roaming charges to be abolished" saying a deal has
been reached in Brussels on 30th June to phase out data roaming charges across
Europe within two years. The agreement means that from June 2017 consumers will
pay the same price for calls, texts and mobile data irrespective of whether they
are in their home nation or travelling in the EU using roaming services. “This
makes us more competitive and is good news for consumers, businesses and Britain.
It removes yet another barrier to a true single digital market in Europe,”
said Daniel Dalton. "This
should eliminate the horrible prospect of returning from holiday with a bill you
can't afford. Roaming charges currently teach us all to switch off our mobiles
as soon as we step off a plane. If we are not afraid of our bills we won't be
afraid of using our devices abroad." | The
final line in the release indicates the matter is not done and dusted yet - "The
agreement has to be ratified by ministers and the European Parliament.".
The new rules will only apply to the European bloc, meaning that travellers to
other countries need to remain wary. See
Offcom's guide to preventing bill shock when using your phone abroad. Guide |
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