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S&D propose a Christmas gift to consumers - an end to roaming charges by 2014

21 December 2011

Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament today announced that they will push for the elimination of price differences between domestic and European calls within the 27 EU countries.

David Martin, Scotland’s senior MEP, said in Brussels: "Citizens are paying huge amounts of money when they make or receive a call abroad, not to mention the exorbitant prices paid to send or receive mobile data.

"Mobile telecommunications operators more than benefit from the single market, but consumers have not seen any improvement in prices or services. In the case of roaming charges, improvements are too slow.

"Borders for mobile phone calls are just artificial tariff barriers. Price caps and structural measures proposed by the Commission are not enough. Prices are far too high for calling from one EU state to another when the real cost for operators is minimal."

Mr Martin continued: "Where is the European internal digital market? The customers want it, the technology allows it but the law is lagging behind.  In August 2010, the Commission endorsed the goal of reducing the difference between roaming and national calls to almost zero by 2015. But now they seem to have forgotten about it.

"We will introduce an amendment to achieve 'roaming zero' by 2014. It is technically feasible and fair to consumers."

The industry, research and telecommunications committee in the European Parliament will vote on the revision of the regulation on roaming for public mobile communications networks within the EU on 28 February.