The European Regulators Group (ERG) has published its 4th report on international roaming on public mobile telephone networks in Europe, covering the period from 1 October 2008 to 31 March 2009. The study reveals a high level of compliance with the European Regulation on roaming (Regulation EC no. 717/2007 of 27 June, subsequently amended by Regulation 544/2009 of 18 June) in all Member States of the European Union (EU).
At retail level, the information compiled by the ERG indicates that all consumers have access to the Eurotariff, which is the maximum rate applicable to voice communications, text messages (SMS) and data services used in roaming within the EU/EEA (EU, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). For calls made, the average Eurotariff was below the maximum value of 0.46 euros per minute, and for calls received, below the maximum ceiling of 0.22 euros. For both types of calls, attractive alternative tariffs were found in the EU/EEA, although there were large differences between countries. With respect to SMS, the average retail price was 0.274 euros, as on 31 March 2009, which means that a reduction of about 60 percent will be required to meet the new maximum ceiling, set at 0.11 euros.
Meanwhile, the wholesale prices for voice calls, on a per minute basis, were found to be in line with the maximum ceiling, while only minor fluctuations were seen in the average of the rates recorded over the past four quarters - 0.254 euros at the end of the 1st quarter of 2009, compared with 0.264, 0.245 and 0.249 euros, respectively, in the 4th, 3rd and 2nd quarters of 2008. For SMS, the average wholesale price has remained fairly constant, with a small decline seen in the 1st quarter of 2009, to 0.134 euros. For data services, the wholesale rate per megabyte downloaded remained stable (1.803 euros on 31 March 2009), which means an average reduction of around 50 percent will be required to meet the currently stipulated value (1 euro), which is set to fall further to 0.80 euros and 0.50 respectively on 1 July 2010 and 1 July 2012.
The ERG intends to continue this twice-yearly compilation of information on roaming, with the next report based on data from 1 April to 30 September 2009, due early next year.
Further information:
- International Roaming ERG Benchmark Data Report for October 2008 - March 2009 http://www.irg.eu/streaming/ERG%20(09)%2031%20International%20Roaming%20Report%20090722.pdf?contentId=546341&field=ATTACHED_FILE
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- International Roaming - ERG report https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=822378
- New rules for internatiomal roaming https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=961774
