Mobile roaming charges in EU slashed

People living in Spain will be able to enjoy cheaper mobile roaming rates, including a 55 percent price cut for data downloads, when they travel in the European Union as of July 1st.

Published: 30 June 2014 18:17 CEST

The maximum surcharge for a phone call will also fall for travelling EU users with outgoing calls set to cost 19 cents per minute. Photo: Shutterstock

Beginning in July, EU mobile phone subscribers will pay a maximum extra charge of 20 euro cents ($0.27) per megabyte for downloads while visiting another member country, instead of the 45 cents charged now.

The maximum surcharge for a phone call will also fall for travelling EU users with outgoing calls set to cost 19 cents per minute, instead of the current 24 cents, and 5 cents to receive a call instead of 7 cents.

Watch a video explaining the changes

Reducing cost barriers for telecommunications between EU member states is a key ambition of the European Commission, the EU's executive.

In April, the European Parliament endorsed a sweeping package of telecommunications reforms introduced by the Commission including a move to scrap roaming fees altogether.

"By the end of this year I hope we see the complete end of roaming charges agreed," Commissioner for the digital agenda Neelie Kroes said in a statement announcing the July 1 price cut.

"The Parliament has done their part, now it is up to Member States to seal the deal," she said.

Member comments

Become a Member to leave a comment.