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ACTIVITIES :: Roaming :: Tariffs

How much do you pay when you use your mobile phone abroad?

Thanks to EU roaming rules, the cost of making and receiving calls when abroad in the EU is now substantially cheaper than in 2007, when the EU first started to tackle excessive roaming charges. Under the revised roaming rules, roaming prices will be further cut in instalments so that by July 2012 the maximum roaming charges would be 29 cents per minute for calls made and 8 cents for calls received while abroad (see "Eurotariff" table below)

In addition, price caps for data services (mobile internet) is now introduced as of 1 July 2012, which reduced the cost browsing the internet. Measures to tackle "bill shocks" for consumers surfing the internet through a mobile connection are now extended to cover the outside the EU data roaming.

Operators have to send users a warning when they reach 80% of their data-roaming bill limit. The operator has to cut off the mobile internet connection once the limit has been reached, unless the customer has indicated they want to continue data roaming that particular month. Maximum end-user price cap for data roaming have been introduced at 70 cents per Megabyte.

Member States' national telecoms regulators must ensure that mobile phone operators comply with the new rules on data roaming and the lower prices of voice calls. Consumers can contact the national regulator in the Member State where their mobile operator is based if they have any problems or questions about the new limits.

Eurotariff maximum roaming charge per minute in Euros (without VAT)

Eurotariff maximum price while abroad

Making a call

Receiving a call

Sending an SMS

Receiving an SMS

Mobile Internet

Summer 2009

43 cents

19 cents

11 cents free -
Summer 2010 39 cents 15 cents 11 cents free -
Summer 2011 35 cents 11 cents 11 cents free -
Summer 2012 29 cents 8 cents 9 cents free 70 cents/MB*

*The tariff is in cents per Megabyte to download data or browse the Internet whilst travelling abroad (charged per Kilobyte used).

These price caps are the maximum permissible prices. Operators are free to offer cheaper rates: be on the lookout for better deals!


More on this subject

Highlights
Current Roaming Regulation

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