OCU against delays over the end of roaming

OCU regrets that the recent agreement between the European Parliament and the Council has not of meant the definitive end to roaming on the date originally planned. In the end pressure from the industry has outweighed the interests of citizens to end the last European frontier.

The agreement postpones the end of roaming to 2017 and what is more negative still, subjects it to the fulfillment of a number of prerequisites that according to OCU create uncertainty about the actual date on which consumers stop being unjustly overcharged for roaming. OCU draws attention to the fact that the direct consequence of the application of these rates is that most users stop using their mobile while traveling abroad for fear of exorbitant bills.

To compensate for this delay, the agreement provides for a significant reduction in tariffs to be applied in 2016. This lowering of tariffs partly alleviates the negative effects that continuing roaming has for consumers. From April 2016 these new tariffs will reduce roaming charges by 75%..

OCU will continue to monitor this agreement, which must still be ratified by the European Parliament and the European Council, since its application will depend, first, on the implementation of the technical measures enabling the effective elimination of roaming and, secondly, on the definition of some clauses such as "restricted use" roaming calls. OCU like other European organisations remains alert and vigilant so that these conditions do not delay the agreed date to or, in practical terms, undermine the real end of roaming.

Nonetheless, we are convinced that public campaign to collect signatures #ZeroRoaming promoted by Eixo Atlantic, RIET, OCU and DECO, which has spread to nine European countries and has received support from more than 113,000 people in just one month has allowed the voice of the consumer to be heard. The organisations promoting this initiative highlight the social movement which has emerged in Europe around this campaign, and are grateful for the support received from consumer associations in France (UFC- Que Choisir), Belgium (Test-Achats), Netherlands (Consumentenbond), Denmark (DCC), Slovenia (ZPS), Greece (EKPIZO and KEPKA) and the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC) as well as the thousands of citizens who have signed the petition, which show that the only way to deal with abuses from businesses and large corporations is through social mobilisation.


For more information (media): Eva Jimenez Tel .: 91 722 60 61 - prensa@ocu.org www.ocu.org