From today, the cost of using your mobile device when abroad in Europe will be cut sharply, thanks to new EU regulations.
Going forward, the price caps for data downloads will be cut by more than half, with the cost of phone calls and text messages also becoming cheaper as well, meaning it will be easier than ever to stay in contact or brag on social media this summer than ever before.
The cuts have long been called for by consumers across Europe, who often find themselves penalised for using their devices outside of their home countries, which is especially unfair in case of emergencies – with many simply turning their phones off for the duration of a trip.
Data consumption is a particularly key area, as holidaymakers seek to share photos and update social media sites when abroad, meaning that the sheer amount of data being created and consumed has risen dramatically over the past few years. But could more be done?
"This huge drop in data roaming prices will make a big difference to all of us this summer. But it is not enough," said Neelie Kroes, VP of the European Commission responsible for the group’s Digital Agenda, who has been a vocal opponent of the charges throughout her time.
"Why should we have roaming charges at all in a single market? By the end of this year I hope we see the complete end of roaming charges agreed – the Parliament has done their part, now it is up to Member States to seal the deal!"
Kroes has led efforts to abolish roaming charges for good – with the result that by December 2015 such costs should become a thing of the past. But as a valuable source of revenue for many operators (one study estimated that they could bring in nearly $90bn by 2018, which will represent more than 8% of the global operator billed revenues) could we soon see other charges sneaking in to replace this?
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, operators need to ensure they can offer something unique to their customers, and several UK companies, including Three and Vodafone, have introduced special price plans or offers to conquer roaming charges. Hopefully today’s cuts will be the beginning of a new era of fairer phone use for all.
