merrion street

Minister for Communications Denis Naughten TD has strongly welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations between the European Commission, Council and Parliament, on the EU Wholesale Roaming Regulation.

This agreement, which determines the maximum price at which EU mobile operators may buy and sell Voice, SMS and Data to each other, is the final piece of the puzzle which will allow for EU “Roam Like at Home” to commence on 15 June 2017.

“Roam Like at Home” will give Irish and EU consumers the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to 1Fair Use Policy.

Minister Denis Naughten stated: “Ireland has always fully supported the ending of roaming charges for consumers periodically travelling in the EU. We have been a strong and vocal advocate for the payment of domestic prices, regardless of where in the EU mobile devices are being used. I commend the tireless work of the EU negotiating team based in my Department. Today is a good day for Irish consumers. Ireland has also always recognised the need to put in place adequate controls so as not to unduly disrupt business for telecommunications operators and service providers. Therefore the compromise solution agreed will safeguard the competitiveness of the Irish telecoms sector which strengthens the benefits to the Irish consumer.”

Note to Editors:
1Fair Use Policy is designed to prevent abuse of the Roam Like At Home regime. For example, telecoms operators may ask consumers to prove stable links with their home Member State before providing Roam Like At Home. In addition, Prepaid SIM cards and Unlimited data bundles will have generous data use volume limits applied to them as these types of plans are particularly vulnerable to abuse.