International Roaming - Consumer information

Roaming means that you can use your mobile phone when abroad, keeping your own number. You can make and receive calls, send and receive data and access other functions associated with this service, while using the mobile telephone service network of a local operator in the foreign country you are visiting.

Roaming is a particularly relevant issue at the moment given that mobile telephone services, when provided to users travelling abroad using roaming, are generally more expensive than mobile telephone services provided without use of roaming.

Meanwhile, users are often unaware of some of the specific aspects of the tariff rules that apply to this service (for example: users being charged for calls received in roaming while abroad), a fact which has given rise to various consumer complaints. In view of this situation, it is necessary to promote retail price transparency and consumer protection, making sure that consumers can take decisions based on accurate and clear information.

In view of the relevance of this issue, the European Commission launched a website in October 2005 on roaming tariffs.

Meanwhile Regulation (EC) no. 717/2007, of the European Parliament and Council of 27 June 2007 was published and the European Commission went on to release a leaflet ''Cheaper mobile calls abroad: 10 tips''.

ANACOM provides a range of useful information on roaming, including a set of FAQs.

Please see:

Regulation (EC) no. 717/2007http://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=520192 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 June 2007 on roaming on public mobile telephone networks within the Community and amending Directive 2002/21/EC

Further information:

 Leaflet: '' Cheaper mobile calls abroad:10 tips''http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/document.cfm?action=display&doc_id=343

EChttp://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/roaming/index_en.htm website on roaming

ERG roaming guidelines:

•  Guidelines - 1st releasehttp://www.erg.eu.int/doc/whatsnew/erg_07_40_guide_customer_process.pdf
•  Guidelines - 2nd releasehttp://www.erg.eu.int/doc/whatsnew/erg_07_46_2nd_release_erg_guidelines.pdf
•  Guidelines - Final releasehttp://www.erg.eu.int/doc/publications/erg_07_86_intl_roaming_regul_guidel.pdf  

Related information on ANACOM's website:

International Roaming http://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=188342

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) http://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=19307