July 1 2013 marks the entry into force of a European directive that requires mobile phone operators in the EU to substantially reduce the costs of using mobile phones in roaming . Based on this directive, the costs of making a phone call while roaming decrease by at least 17%, the costs of receiving a phone call while roaming decrease by at least 12%, and the costs of sending an SMS decrease by 11%. Regarding internet traffic made using mobile terminals, we are talking about a 36% reduction in costs compared to yesterday, but the reduction is 91% if we compare it with 2007.
New roaming price caps mean charges for making a call will drop by at least 17% a minute while receiving a call will drop by about 12% a minute. The cost of a text message will fall by 11%. New EU rules mean downloading data, including looking at maps, checking emails and sending pictures, will be 36% cheaper, and 91% cheaper compared with 2007. Overall the commission said it has achieved retail price reductions across calls, SMS and data of over 80% since 2007.
According to the European Commission, the costs of using a mobile phone in roaming fell, on average, by 80% compared to the same period of 2007, but starting next year they will be completely eliminated. The European Commission obliges mobile phone operators to eliminate starting from July 1, 2014 all roaming tariffs for customers, anyone being able to talk on the phone in any country in Europe at the same prices they pay in their home country.
