ACTIVITIES :: Roaming :: Roaming regulation :: Regulation review

The review of the Roaming Regulation

The Digital Agenda for Europe defines roaming as one of the ‘Key Performance Targets’ for attaining the Digital Single Market. More precisely, the target is that ‘the difference between roaming and national tariffs would approach zero by 2015’. This target will be achieved if competition in mobile markets gives consumers the rapid and easy choice of a roaming service at, or close to, a relevant competitive domestic price level.

The current Roaming Regulation is expiring on 30 June 2012. After having conducted a thorough review, the Commission found that the roaming market is not yet competitive enough. The cost of using mobile phones or other devices when abroad in the EU has continuously fallen since the adoption of the first roaming rules in 2007. However, most operators still propose retail prices that remain around the maximum legal caps. Stronger competition on the EU roaming market would provide better choice and better rates to consumers.

For this reason the Commission would like to extend the Roaming Regulation until 30 June 2022. The Commission is proposing new measures to increase competition and encourage operators to offer attractive consumer deals. It also proposes to make roaming services cheaper as of July 2012.

06.07.2011: New Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union - Unofficial version (Text with EEA relevance)
Press release
Commissioner Kroes' speech
Frequently Asked Questions

These proposals are accompanied by a report which analysing the impact of the EU's first roaming rules introduced in 2007 and 2009, on the basis of the results of an impact assessment and a public consultation.