It’s been a long time coming, but we finally know when roaming charges will be scrapped in Europe: June 15th, 2017. The European Commission had been pushing for an earlier implementation, but ultimately relented in order to win support from the European Parliament and Council. Under the new rules, Europeans will pay the same prices as they do at home, regardless of where they travel in the EU. However, such a move could be open to abuse — after all, anyone could buy a cheaper SIM from a neighboring country and use it at home — so there will be a fair use limit when roaming, after which networks can charge you a basic fee. While we wait for 2017 to roll around, Europe is prepping a stop-gap measure for next year. From April 2016, operators will be limited to the following maximum roaming charges: €0.20 per MB, €0.06 per SMS and €0.05 per minute — the same rates that former EU Commission VP Neelie Kroes wanted to enforce last year.
Europe has also agreed upon new, stricter net neutrality rules. From April 30th, 2016, internet service providers will be banned from blocking or throttling any online content, apps and services. In addition, so-called “fast lanes” will be outlawed. However, there is one exception: the EU will allow providers to ring-fence parts of their networks for self-developed “innovative services.” It’s only under the condition that such efforts don’t affect people’s access to the rest of the internet, however. The EU says it’ll be different from fast lanes, although any two-tier system is likely to unnerve open internet advocates.
Now, we just have to wait for the dates to roll around. The European Commission’s next step is to finalise the new laws in writing and get them signed off by the European Parliament and Council. They’ll then be translated into all EU languages, setting in motion the long-awaited move towards a fabled “digital single market” across Europe.
[Image Credit: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo]
Filed under: Wireless, Internet
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Source: European Commission