Roaming III: Regulating International Mobile Roaming Charges to 2022

Abstract

The European Commission has proposed its third Roaming Regulation to cap the prices charged for international mobile roaming, to ensure transparency of prices and to eliminate the risk of "bill shock". The present proposal would come into force in 2012 and extends until 2022. It adds a price cap for data roaming and reduces the existing caps on voice and SMS. It proposes structural changes to allow MVNOs to buy wholesale IMR charges independently and to separate the purchase of IMR from domestic services on the domestic market.

The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and Council for debate.

Keywords: wireless, mobile, telecommunications, roaming, regulation, price caps

JEL Classification: K21, K23, l40, l96