The European Commission wants to maintain roaming at no extra charge

On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed a new roaming regulation that will extend the current rules for another 10 years. Its aim is to ensure that EU citizens can continue to use roaming at no additional charge when traveling in the Member States of the Union.

Same quality and connection speed

The Commission recalled that at a time when EU governments are discouraging them from insignificant travel due to the pandemic situation, it wants to provide legal certainty for the use of roaming. The new regulation will extend the current rules, which are due to expire at the end of June 2022, for another 10 years and will also provide better roaming services for passengers and new rules. Consumers will be entitled to the same quality and speed of mobile networking abroad as at home. The new rules will also ensure effective access to emergency services, including improving awareness of alternative ways for people with disabilities, as well as raising consumer awareness of possible charges for using value-added services when roaming.

No worries about high bills

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda, recalled in this context that EU citizens, wherever they are in Europe, should be able to connect with their loved ones or have job interviews on their travels, without fear of high bills. "The end of roaming charges is a prime example of how the EU is helping to keep millions in touch and improving their lives. The new rules will keep roaming free of charge and make it even better," she said. Thanks to the current Roaming Regulation, roaming charges in the Union expired on 15 June 2017, and since then almost 170 million Europeans have benefited from cheaper connections when traveling within the EU single market.