This Thursday, 15 June 2017, finally roaming surcharges will be abolished in the EU. With the approval of lower inter-operator roaming charges the Socialists and Democrats pushed through the last piece of legislation needed to pave the way for the abolition of roaming surcharges. From this Thursday, call time, text and data allowances bought as part of a mobile phone deal or monthly contract at home will be usable anywhere in the EU at no extra charge.

S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said:

“From this Thursday, we all are a bit more European. From this Thursday, instead of switching off your phone data when travelling or facing huge phone bills when returning home, you will be able to call your friends from the beach, watch a video at the airport or tweet from a conference and pay the same price as you do at home. This is the Europe citizens want and feel proud of. A Europe that brings real benefits to people’s lives. A Europe capable to cope with new challenges and new technologies.

“When the Socialists and Democrats called for the end of roaming charges some years ago, we faced a lot of opposition from national governments, from corporations, and the conservatives. After ten years of battling, roaming charges are now finally a thing of the past. By ensuring affordable phone prices for all when travelling abroad, we have torn down one of the remaining borders in the single market. From this summer, when travelling you can switch on your phone and feel like at home, in Europe”.

S&D MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, negotiator for the European Parliament on rules for the wholesale roaming markets, said:

“Earlier this year, the Socialists and Democrats had pushed through the last piece of legislation needed to pave the way for the abolition of roaming surcharges. With this last hurdle cleared, Europeans can now stay connected while travelling in other EU countries and will not be shocked by horrendous phone bills. It is a great victory for European consumers when we finally say goodbye to roaming this Thursday.”

 

MEPs involved
Head of delegation
Member
Finland