The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Data Equinox

Telecom firm warns questions remain unanswered over abolition of data roaming charges

Author

By John Glenday, Reporter

July 6, 2015 | 2 min read

Questions have been raised to the apparently good news that data roaming charges are to be abolished throughout the European Union by June 2017.

Under the terms of the agreement a 14-moth interim period will be established in which companies can still apply surcharges, albeit at a lesser rate than currently, a major breakthrough in years of campaigning to have cross border charges eliminated.

Pouring some cold water on the plans however Dave Millet, of independent telecoms brokerage Equinox, asked: “What will happen to roaming charges elsewhere in the world? In the past when European prices have come down data roaming costs in the rest of the world have gone up?”

Millett also drew attention to the lengthy two year wait for full implementation of the reforms, asking why the legislation applies only to data and not voice calls whilst musing whether the reform could impact upon the looming UK referendum on an EU exit.

In a further concern Millet asked: “What happens to people and businesses who are midway through a contract that includes data roaming bundles when the changes happen? Will the operators reduce the prices for the remainder of the contract?”

For now Millett’s queries remain unanswered whilst the EU fleshes out the detail of its commitment.

Data Equinox

More from Data

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +