It has been one and a half years since the abolition of roaming charges and now more European travelers happy to go online while roaming. There is an immediate and significant increase in mobile calls and data usage by European citizens travelling in the EU.
According to the European Commission’s interim report on the effects of the end of roaming charges on 15 June 2017, Europeans have made the most of their new digital rights when travelling in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). The use of mobile data has grown five times on average compared to the levels before June 2017. The number of phone calls made by travelers has roughly doubled compared to the previous period.
Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, said: “One and a half years ago, roaming charges ended when travelling in the EU. Together with other digital rights, such as the end of unjustified geoblocking and the portability of content, this is a good example to demonstrate how the EU can deliver for the benefits of its citizens in their daily life. We also need to continue making Europeans aware of their digital rights so that they can really make the most of the new possibilities.”
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, added: “Today we can see the tangible benefits following the abolition of roaming charges in the EU. The good news is that Europe is now a reality for people using their mobile phones freely when travelling abroad. I am grateful to operators who manage to turn demands for more data and voice calls into new opportunities.”
There is a clear trend towards increased demand following the end of roaming charges. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey habits have clearly changed, with for instance 34% of travelers now happy to go online while roaming as much as they do at home, compared to just 15% prior to June 2017. In contrast, the share of those who never use their mobile data while abroad dropped to 19% compared to 42% before the end of roaming charges. At the same time, consumer awareness remains high: 62 % of Europeans are aware that roaming charges have ended in the EU/EEA and 69% think they, or someone they know, benefit or will benefit.
Mobile operators have largely abided by the new rules, as a result of vigilant monitoring from national regulators and the Commission. The safeguards foreseen in the Roaming Regulation to avoid distortions on domestic markets, namely the sustainability derogation and fair use policy, have worked adequately and where needed.
Background
Since 15 June 2017 and as a concrete delivery of the Digital Single Market, Europeans can use their mobile phones (calls, SMS and data) when travelling in the EU without paying extra roaming charges. This means travelers can use their phone when they travel just like they do at home, without any fear of high phone bills.
Prior to that date, the Commission had been working for a decade to reduce and ultimately end the additional roaming charges that telecoms operators imposed on their customers each time they crossed a border while using their mobile device on holiday or during business trips. Between 2007 and 2016, roaming prices decreased by more than 90%, and prices fell for the final time in April 2016. In 2015, based on a proposal of the European Commission, both the European Parliament and the Council agreed to end roaming charges for people travelling in the EU.
