The cost of making a call while roaming in the EU will drop from the current EUR 0.35 per minute to EUR 0.29 from 01 July, receiving a call will cost EUR 0.08 per minute instead of EUR 0.11, SMS fall to EUR 0.09 each from EUR 0.11, and the retail data price will be capped for the first time, at EUR 0.70 per MB (billed per KB). Additional annual cuts will bring the retail prices down to respectively EUR 0.19, EUR 0.05, EUR 0.06 and EUR 0.20 per MB from 01 July 2014.
The agreement also approves the EC's proposal for a more "structural" solution to bringing roaming prices close to national rates, allowing end-users to choose their own roaming provider, rather than the default network provided by their home operator. From July 2012, MVNOs and resellers will gain wholesale access at regulated prices to mobile networks so that they can provide their own roaming offers (alongside national services). From July 2014, end-users will be able to select a separate roaming contract, while keeping their phone number, in order to benefit from lower prices. This includes an option to select a different data service provider, either in advance or on the spot when roaming, allowing local operators to offer roaming customers a separate service closer to national rates.
The new rules will also extend the system of alerts informing customers of roaming charges. From this July, customers will receive a message from their operator when they approach EUR 50 spent on data services, both within and outside the EU. They can also set a different level to cap spending, over which they must confirm they want to continue to use the services.
The proposal will now go to the European Parliament for a vote in May, and the Council for approval in June, allowing the new rates to take effect from July.
