The UK's four main mobile operators will not start charging customers for roaming in the EU after 01 January 2021. On that date, the transition period for the UK's exit from the EU ends, and the EU 'roam like at home' regulation will no longer apply.
The bilateral trade deal reached between the EU and UK just before Christmas does not uphold the roaming regulation. According to the BBC, the agreement says only that operators should take "reasonable steps" to avoid customers being charged for accidental roaming in Northern Ireland. This means it's up to operators to agree commercial bilateral deals for roaming.
The BBC confirmed with the four operators that they did not plan to re-introduce charges for roaming in the EU countries. 3 UK already offers free roaming in over 70 countries around the world. Vodafone, EE and O2 UK all confirmed they would maintain 'roam like at home' as well in the EU. The groups should benefit from existing deals in place with European operators, including the many sister companies on the continent in the Vodafone and Telefonica groups.
