The European Union Roaming Regulations

Abstract:     
The European Union adopted a Roaming Regulation (717/2007) in 2007, then extended its duration and widened its scope (544/2009) in 2009.

In 2006, the European Commission held two consultations on a possible regulation. It made a formal legislative proposal in July 2006, to implement wholesale and retail price caps, plus price transparency measures. This was debated and then adopted, with changes, by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. After a long debate, retail price caps were accepted. The price controls began from autumn 2007.

In 2008, the European Commission began a review of the Regulation. It concluded it required to be extended until 2012. It also proposed adding retail and wholesale price caps on SMS prices and a wholesale cap on data prices. To stop future bill shocks, it imposed a spending limit, requiring customers to be warned and to be asked to confirm they wished to continue spending.

The European Parliament and Council of Ministers adopted this measure, with new prices cap taking effect in July 2009.

The EC is currently reviewing the effectiveness of the amended Regulation.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 20

Keywords: telecommunications, Europe, mobile, wireless, roaming

JEL Classification: L96, K23, K21, L13

working papers series