14 DAY TRIAL // European Union users traveling within the community will pay smaller roaming fees when abroad starting today, with the cost of data download fees 36 percent smaller than before.
The European Commission announced today that its Roaming Regulation had been updated, and that users will pay less when using maps, watching videos, checking emails, and updating their social network status while traveling across the EU.
The new price cut in these fees results in a total reduction of data roaming costs of 91 percent in 2013 when compared to 2007, on the background of the market growing by 630 percent, the EC announced.
Overall, the retail price of calls, SMS messages, and data within the European Union has been reduced by 80 percent compared to 2007.
Also starting today, travelers to Croatia, which joins the European Union on July 1, will pay 15 times less for data roaming, while enjoying texting and calls up to 10 times cheaper than before.
“The EU has to be relevant to people's lives. The latest price cuts put more money in your pocket for summer, and are a critical step towards getting rid of these premiums once and for all,” European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said.
“This is good for both consumers and companies, because it takes fear out of the market, and it grows the market.”
Beginning today, data and Internet browsing while roaming in the EU cost 45 cents / Megabyte (MB) (charged per Kilobyte used) + VAT. (36% reduction compared to 2012), while making phone calls costs 24 cents / minute + VAT (17% reduction compared to 2012).
Furthermore, receiving a call within the community costs only 7 cents / minute + VAT (12.5% reduction compared to 2012), while sending a text message is priced at 8 cents + VAT (11% reduction compared to 2012).
Apparently, wireless carriers are also allowed to offer cheaper rates to their customers, should they want to do so, with some of them already moving towards killing off premiums altogether for voice and SMS. Some operators also offer a roaming-free area region across one section of Europe or another.