From Monday, using a smartphone in any European Union country will cost a third less as part of data roaming price cuts introduced by the EU regulator.
Just in time for the masses to embark on their summer holidays, the EU has cut roaming fee costs by 36 per cent as part of an effort to show the value of the European Union to its countries’ citizens.
“The EU has to be relevant to people’s lives,” said Neelie Kroes, the EU’s telecoms regulator as part of the roaming data price cut announcement.
The price cuts were announced in March last year, but are finally coming into effect from Monday, July 1, perfectly timed for the summer exodus.
The EU has been steadily lowering roaming charges since 2007, with current prices marking an 80 per cent decrease during that time.
Kroes aims to make data roaming charges extinct for all of the 27 countries part of the European Union. However, many doubt that this can be accomplished in the 18 months remaining in her position as the EU’s telecoms regulator.
From Monday, July 1, internet browsing in any EU country will cost 45 cents (38p) per megabyte, down from 70 cents (60p). Call costs fall from 29 cents (25p) to 24 cents (21p) per minute, and to receive a call users will now pay 7 cents (6p) rather than 8 cents (7p) per minute.
Although, as normal, users won’t pay to receive text messages, sending one will cost 8 cents (7p) per message, down from the previous 9 cents (8p).
The data roaming price drops also tie in with the addition of Croatia to the European Union on Monday, July 1, meaning anyone travelling there will also benefit from the price cuts.
Next, read our pick of the best mobile phones of 2013, in case you fancy an upgrade before your summer sunshine.
Via: Reuters
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
