Mobile Roaming Charges Abolished in the EU

[PBRsg]

About time. Hopefully carrier in countries also outside of EU will enter similar agreements.

Expensive roaming must end

"Citizens traveling within the EU that call, text, and browse the internet on their mobile devices will be charged the same price they pay in their home country" - if you come from a country where phone plans are very cheap, your telecom may now have to pay the foreign telecom of a country with high prices more than what they charge back to you, in which case they will just shut down the roaming service. Also, could this encourage people to buy plans in cheap countries and permanently roam? This could get weird.
[doublepost=1497581986][/doublepost]

most italians are mad at the EU because they don't allow us to let immigrants die in the mediterranean sea

I am glad to see Italians have some national pride left. You are clearly not part of that group.
[doublepost=1497582076][/doublepost]

Nice, now when will Europe be a single zone for Netflix and similar?

That does not really matter as the only good Netflix library is the US one.
[doublepost=1497582369][/doublepost]

I really want another referendum on Brexit.. I'm sure the outcome would be different a second time round.

And then people will want a third, a fourth and a fifth referendum until they get the result that they want. I cannot believe that you cannot see the precedent that this sets.
[doublepost=1497582718][/doublepost]

Since Brexit....the pound has dropped...gasoline has gone up to unreal prices....the public was duped by a man now under FBI investigation.

Oil prices are $44 a barrel today (it was $156 in 2008 and $100 in 2014). It the gasoline prices are unreal, you can blame government taxes for that. Having said that, based on your comment I have a suspicion that you believe exorbitant taxes are a good thing.
[doublepost=1497582933][/doublepost]

Are you talking about the EU which is forcing terrorism and multiculturalism upon people who don't want it? That's right. EU now sueing Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic for not letting in terrorist into their countries. That's right. That's the great elite EU you are talking about. Destroying Europe from the inside.

Don't bother - I have a feeling that you are talking to a leftist who believes that forced multiculturalism is a good thing.
[doublepost=1497583161][/doublepost]

Haha says the guys from the country where many people still have to use dialup internet...

Actually, Germany ranks below the US in average broadband speed, which is terrible considering how spread out the population of the US is. Your school system has done wonders in creating left wing brainwashed US hating zombies. Enjoy your culturally enriched future. ROFL!
[doublepost=1497583513][/doublepost]

You are a fool if you think a company in business for profit will not get their profit one way or another.

Next steps if the EU gets even crazier:
1. For profit companies raise rates to cover costs and make required profits.
2. EU mandates rates to appease citizens.
3. Company finds new ways to charge customers (via separate fees or new taxes via gov't subsidy for staying in business with a sweetheart deal); or they go bankrupt/take their business elsewhere.
4.Government is forced to nationalize communication services (and does so much less efficiently than private sector, costing you more).
5. Increase in taxes to cover the cost.

Enjoy!

Unlike many of the fools here, you seem to have a very good grasp of how all this works.

 

[kis]

The EU dropping roaming charges does not apply to the Swiss operators, as far as I understand, as they are not in the EU.

Interestingly, EU residents get free roaming in Switzerland but not the other way round. So this has nothing to do with politics, it's just about the continuing greed of Swiss providers.

 

[kis]

Don't forget that in Switzerland cell towers are allowed to emit about a tenth of the radiation as in the rest of Europe, so mobile is more expensive.

Yeah, I'd accept it if it were slightly more expensive - but it costs 10 times more in some cases. I pay 149 Fr per month for my subscription because I travel a lot to the EU and need a meaningful amount of data roaming included. My wife pays 100 Fr per month and has almost nothing included.

Apart from that, Swisscom has built their network using tax payers' money so charging more to their customers now amounts to double taxation.

 

[kis]

Norway, Switzerland, Iceland are included in this and they aren't in the EU.

No my friend - they're not. While EU residents get free roaming in Switzerland, Swiss residents don't get to enjoy the same privilege while traveling in the EU. Data roaming is prohibitively expensive for Swiss customers. And you can bet your butt that roaming charges will be re-introduced once your country leaves the EU. Good luck - can't have it both ways I guess. If you have the feeling that Brexit will improve your situation in any way, you're sorely mistaken. The Swiss economy flourishes because according to the OECD we're innovation leaders and have excellent work ethics and extremely high productivity. The average person here works much longer and has fewer vacation days than in pretty much anywhere else in Europe. So unless you somehow manage to convince your people to all start working 50 hours a week on average, forgo 1/3 of your vacation time and start retiring a few years later, Brexit will be an unmitigated disaster.

Also, the Swiss economy has only been able to sustain its growth due to a massive influx of foreign labor. 25% of our residents here are foreign passport holders and we have massive immigration from Germany, Portugal and Eastern European countries. Also don't forget that we actually have access to the single market through bilateral treaties.

Switzerland shouldn't be considered a success or some sort of role model (non-Eu country that's beating the odds). Instead we are an EU-adjunct without the political rights. We have all the problems you had before (EU law, mass immigration, massive payments to the EU cohesion fund etc) without any kind of political say. And I have the feeling that's exactly what Britain will look like as well - still forced into freedom of movement, still having to pay, but not able to say anything in Brussels. Well, at least you can't blame anyone for it.

 

[one more]

I think they will have a problem soon enough then. If other telecom companies do offer free roaming cost and one doesn't, well.... the market will decide what will become of that company Their loss..

They do offer free roaming throughout the EU, just not in Switzerland. So they will indeed lose the clients who regularly hop across the French-Swiss border.
[doublepost=1497589807][/doublepost]

I think they will have a problem soon enough then. If other telecom companies do offer free roaming cost and one doesn't, well.... the market will decide what will become of that company Their loss..

They do offer free roaming throughout the EU, just not in Switzerland. So they will indeed lose the clients who regularly hop across the French-Swiss border.

 

[one more]

I think they will have a problem soon enough then. If other telecom companies do offer free roaming cost and one doesn't, well.... the market will decide what will become of that company Their loss..

They do offer free roaming throughout the EU, just not in Switzerland. So they will probably indeed lose the clients who regularly hop across the French-Swiss border.
[doublepost=1497596075][/doublepost]

Interestingly, EU residents get free roaming in Switzerland but not the other way round. So this has nothing to do with politics, it's just about the continuing greed of Swiss providers.

Agreed. To be fare, before dropping roaming charges, Orange (French) were charging about 5€/Mb of data while roaming in Switzerland, so a simple single email check on the go would easily add 3€ to your bill. So big hooray to the EU free roaming initiative.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I'm on vacation in another country right now and gotta say, I really love the transparent roaming. Being able to use google maps and bragging about the sights I'm seeing right then and there without knowing I'm spending ridiculous amounts per kilobyte is really a plus.

 

[dangerly]

Sure enough, telecoms will find a way to lucrate on this.

For example, I have a contract with 7GB of roaming data: I bet they will magically disappear.

EDIT: yes! I called and Vodafone says my 7GB of roaming are now only usable in extra-UE countries like Turkey. In the countries I visit the most I will have to use my Italian data.

I don't see anything strange about this. EU has become a "big country" so its normal to use the home country call/data quota in EU countries.

 

[djcerla]

I don't see anything strange about this. EU has become a "big country" so its normal to use the home country call/data quota in EU countries.

Maybe because you don't understand that before this I had 14 GB of data (7 for Italy + 7 for Europe), now I basically only have 7 total because I don't travel to the countries where the other 7GB are valid for roaming.

The new regulation slashed in half my data, at the same contract price.

 

[decafjava]

No my friend - they're not. While EU residents get free roaming in Switzerland, Swiss residents don't get to enjoy the same privilege while traveling in the EU. Data roaming is prohibitively expensive for Swiss customers. And you can bet your butt that roaming charges will be re-introduced once your country leaves the EU. Good luck - can't have it both ways I guess. If you have the feeling that Brexit will improve your situation in any way, you're sorely mistaken. The Swiss economy flourishes because according to the OECD we're innovation leaders and have excellent work ethics and extremely high productivity. The average person here works much longer and has fewer vacation days than in pretty much anywhere else in Europe. So unless you somehow manage to convince your people to all start working 50 hours a week on average, forgo 1/3 of your vacation time and start retiring a few years later, Brexit will be an unmitigated disaster.

Also, the Swiss economy has only been able to sustain its growth due to a massive influx of foreign labor. 25% of our residents here are foreign passport holders and we have massive immigration from Germany, Portugal and Eastern European countries. Also don't forget that we actually have access to the single market through bilateral treaties.

Switzerland shouldn't be considered a success or some sort of role model (non-Eu country that's beating the odds). Instead we are an EU-adjunct without the political rights. We have all the problems you had before (EU law, mass immigration, massive payments to the EU cohesion fund etc) without any kind of political say. And I have the feeling that's exactly what Britain will look like as well - still forced into freedom of movement, still having to pay, but not able to say anything in Brussels. Well, at least you can't blame anyone for it.

I've lived here for 20 years and concur with what you're saying. As to roaming (I'm with Sunrise btw) we already pay expensive telcom plans without adding roaming costs! I have no big complaints about the network quality in general but do think we are being gouged for roaming.

 

[cube]

Yeah, I'd accept it if it were slightly more expensive - but it costs 10 times more in some cases. I pay 149 Fr per month for my subscription because I travel a lot to the EU and need a meaningful amount of data roaming included. My wife pays 100 Fr per month and has almost nothing included.

Apart from that, Swisscom has built their network using tax payers' money so charging more to their customers now amounts to double taxation.

I think the Swisscom workforce is still in Switzerland and not offshored in big part.

 

[mazz0]

I feel it's a historic mistake by the UK, but I don't think the door is open anymore. EU will make it as hard as possible on the UK to set an example.

Er, Not sure thats correct. I believe the door slammed shut when article 50 was initiated as It cannot be stopped.

I was referring to Macron's comments to May.

 

[cube]

Er, Not sure thats correct. I believe the door slammed shut when article 50 was initiated as It cannot be stopped.

Only the CJEU can rule who or whether this can be stopped, but the consensus it that it can if all 28 countries agree.

 

[giggles]

Maybe because you don't understand that before this I had 14 GB of data (7 for Italy + 7 for Europe), now I basically only have 7 total because I don't travel to the countries where the other 7GB are valid for roaming.

The new regulation slashed in half my data, at the same contract price.

You can't have it both ways.

It's perfectly normal that now the international 7GB you used to have won't be usable in RLAH areas.

If you're stuck with this particular kind of contract, it's just your temporary problem because your plan was conceived when this law didn't exist. Probably the next time you renew you'll be able to choose something like 12GB EU + 4GB extra-EU.

Of course some plans that predate RLAH can have some inconsistencies in this transition period...and maybe you're stuck 24 months with your current plan..but when the dust settles and everything evens out, they'll make sense again.

 

[beanbaguk]

Enjoy your free roaming for the next 21 months Brexiteers!

 

[jlc1978]

We could give Northern Ireland back to the Irish but I doubt loyalists want that and I doubt the Irish want to inherit a load of issues.

One issue is how to keep the open border open after Brexit. Politics aside, that seems to have played a crucial role in keeping the peace.
[doublepost=1497622553][/doublepost]

They can't, but people here keep referring to 'England leaving the EU' when they are just one country affected. The United Kingdom are leaving the EU and that includes the country where I live.

England, UK, what's the difference...
[doublepost=1497623391][/doublepost]

Prices are going to continue going down, because thankfully we have a competitive telecoms industry unlike our friends across the pond.

The US is pretty competitive as well. I can get 5 lines with unlimited text, calls and data for around $120, or around $20/line) with no contract. Plus I get unlimited text and messaging in around 140 countries, plus unlimited slow speed data which is good enough for Skype, email and light browsing. For multiple lines the prices are quite good, it's the single line that is still high unless you go to a second tier provider; who often are ATT/Tmobile/Verizon/Sprint under a different name.

 

[Tech198]

About time. Hopefully carrier in countries also outside of EU will enter similar agreements.

Expensive roaming must end

Its all about giving "us more money" You'd think why are SMS prices still so dam expensive, when carrier charge a load on Roaming charges anyway..... You think they would offset the cost and they can reduce text charges, they "need" it..

Just raise roaming charges, and reduce local charges.... Sounds fair. Everyone switches to other networks and customer base declines as a result, then see what mobile carriers say.

 

[ginkobiloba]

I love it. For 45 euros, I get 40GB of data per month at 4G speed ( with Orange ) ! And now it's useable all over the EU.

Now all we need is to abolish roaming charges between EU and rest of the world. When I go to Canada, It costs me 30 euros for a useless 1GB of data per month....I can eat 1GB in a couple of days even by restraining myself to a couple of apps and mail...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

England, UK, what's the difference..

A massive difference. Is that a serious question?

 

[weckart]

England, UK, what's the difference...

A decent education?

 

[jlc1978]

A massive difference. Is that a serious question?

A decent education?

Clearly some reader's browsers are not properly handling the /Joke tag. I suggest you look at its settings to see if it is enabled.

[doublepost=1497730592][/doublepost]

Now all we need is to abolish roaming charges between EU and rest of the world.

That's not so much a regulatory issue but a commercial one. T-Mobile has already done that for its US customers; I would guess here is no reason EU carriers couldn't do the same other than seeing no need to so do.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Clearly some reader's browsers are not properly handling the /Joke tag. I suggest you look at its settings to see if it is enabled.

You're right. Your joke in itself was so hilarious it disguised itself as a really unfunny point of view and flew over most of our heads. Apologies.

 

[jlc1978]

You're right. Your joke in itself was so hilarious it disguised itself as a really unfunny point of view and flew over most of our heads. Apologies.

No worries. It's all good.

Calling all citizens of the UK English is a bit like calling all Americans Yanks or Yankees; not realizing a significant percentage are not Yankees.

 

[Basic75]

The EU did a great thing here.

I agree.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

No worries. It's all good.

Calling all citizens of the UK English is a bit like calling all Americans Yanks or Yankees; not realizing a significant percentage are not Yankees.

That's a different thing entirely. I would say that's along the lines of Brits being called 'Limeys' or 'Poms' as it's just a generalised nickname.

A better example would be calling Americans Canadians or Mexicans as they like Wales and Scotland are neighbouring countries.

In all honesty it's just easier to refer to Brits as Brits. We live in the UK and Brexit applies to the UK as a whole.