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The European Parliament has formally approved rules that will bring to an end the varied and confusing mobile roaming charges within the EU.
For years, mobile phone customers have returned from holiday to find they have been hit with hefty bills for using their mobile devices while abroad.
These charges were particularly heavy for those using a lot of data, for example downloading a movie for their child to watch.
There has long been talk of scrapping the charges, and the European Parliament has now formally approved the rules.
No, they are being gradually phased out. From next April, the amount operators can pile on top of your standard charge will be capped.
This will be set at a maximum of 0.05 euro (3p) per minute of call made, 0.02 euro (1p) per text sent, and 0.05 euro (3p) per MB of data, excluding VAT.
In June 15, 2017 the charges will be scrapped across the EU, and you will be charged the same to make calls, send text messages and use data as if you were at home.
Network operators have insisted they need time to prepare the market for the changes.
Roaming charges were – and are – a fairly big earner for operators. Some critics have suggested they will simply start hiking up other call charges to make up for the loss.
Consumers have been advised to keep a close eye on their monthly bills as the 2017 deadline nears.
Along with the roadmap for scrapping roaming charges, new net neutrality rules mean users across the EU will be free to access the content of their choice and will no longer be unfairly blocked or slowed down.
This means access to a start-up’s website will not be unfairly slowed down to make way for bigger companies, the EC said.
No service will be hampered because it does not pay an additional fee to internet service providers.
