Reuters reports that the European Parliament has voted in Brussels overwhelmingly in favour of a law removing mobile roaming charges in 26 counties of the EU from December 2015.
Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner for digital affairs a champion for this change is reported as saying “This is what the EU is all about – getting rid of barriers to make life easier and less expensive.”
It is reported that the changes will take 5% off the European mobile telco’s revenue but that most of this will be picked up by increased usage of mobile roaming and by reducing the cost to operators caused by mobile users bypassing the high roaming charges by buying prepaid service for small durations.
In this regard it is a pity there is not a world body which could enact a global version of the new EU law.
In Austrlaia Comms Minister Turnbull earlier this year released a draft of a law “The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Mobile Roaming) Bill 2014″ which would give the ACCC powers to control wholesale prices for roaming between Australia and New Zealand – One small step for man!