European Commission sets out plans to scrap roaming charges

The European Commission said on Wednesday that it now wants to abolish roaming fees entirely, having previously suggested a limit on free mobile phone roaming.

The EC said there should be no limits in terms of timing or volume imposed on consumers using mobiles abroad in the European Union.

The proposals would enable all travellers using a SIM card of a member state in which they reside or with which they have links to use their mobile in any EU country just as they would at home.

However, the Commission said there would be safeguards against abuse based on residence or permanent links to an EU country.

It said the new draft would allow operators to check usage patterns to avoid the ‘Roam like at Home’ mechanism being abused. These include insignificant domestic traffic compared to roaming traffic, long periods of inactivity of a given SIM card associated with use mostly while roaming, and subscription and sequential use of multiple SIM cards by the same customer while roaming.

If such abuses are detected, operators will be able to apply small surcharges.

The EC added that abuses could also be related to the mass purchase and resale of SIM cards for permanent use outside the country of the operator issuing them.

Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, said: "Commission action on roaming prices has delivered for European consumers. Today's draft rules ensure we can end roaming charges as of 15 June 2017 for all people who travel periodically in the EU, while ensuring that operators have the tools to guard against abuse of the rules."