Abolition of international roaming charges in the EU
7.11.2014
Question for written answer E-008965-14
to the Council
Rule 130
Renata Briano (S&D)
On 3 April 2014, the European Parliament approved the Commission’s proposal for a new regulation aimed at creating a European single market for electronic communications. In line with the objectives of the ‘Europe 2020’ growth strategy, this would promote the innovative development of cross-border social, cultural, economic and business interactions and exchanges, leading to new opportunities for citizens and for businesses.
Among the provisions included in the proposal, there is one that very much aims to respond to the daily needs of people and businesses, namely the abolition of international roaming charges in the EU by 15 December 2015.
This measure would be of huge benefit, for example, to people who travel across international borders for work and students studying abroad, as well as to tourists.
However, various media channels are reporting that the abolition of roaming charges is to be postponed, to give time to address the concerns of major telecommunications companies.
Given that the European Parliament, which represents the democratic will of European citizens, has voted with an overwhelming majority on this issue, does the Council intend to proceed with the approval of this regulation and in particular of the measure to abolish roaming charges, in order to create a truly connected continent, and if so, how?