A new law passed in Brussels will mean that, from 2017, mobile networks can not charge a premium in Europe to upload a photo, send a text or make a phone call.
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From 30 April 2016 roaming surcharges (added to the price paid at home) must not exceed €0.05 per minute for outgoing voice calls, €0.02 for text messages (SMS) or €0.05 per megabyte of mobile internet use. “This is a victory for consumers today and a stepping stone towards a truly European digital single market tomorrow”, said Luxembourg MEP Viviane Reding who, from 2004 to 2009, has led the charge for eliminating roaming fees.
Can we get a ‘hell yeah!’
“The great roaming charges rip-off is finally coming to an end”, said liberal European Union lawmaker Guy Verhofstadt.
Here’s everything you need to know about the changes.
It is this trade that allows United Kingdom mobile phone users to make calls, send texts and access data using European networks while in countries such as Germany, Spain or France.
If that’s the case, companies can petition their local wireless regulators in those countries to “impose minimal surcharges in exceptional circumstances to recover these costs”, but those fees have to be smaller than whatever they now charge.
Reducing roaming charges has already been implemented by a few operators in Europe.
Starting from today, you will now be charged the same amount for a phone call at home as you will overseas.
If net neutrality isn’t adopted, it can lead to providers charging websites a fee so they can guarantee users can access their sites easily.
This is the best mobile phone news we’ve heard in a while.
Scrapping European Union mobile roaming charges could save holidaymakers and those who live in border areas thousands of pounds, a Northern Ireland MEP said. The plan has been widely praised and strongly supported within the European Parliament.
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Huge telephone bills ruining your holiday budget, an Internet connection not delivering on its promises: these experiences will be soon old memories, the European Commission said on the new law.
