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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 7 July 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 July 2015. It was answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 July 2015 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to reduce mobile telephone charges for UK users using their telephones overseas.

Answer

I am pleased to confirm that formal agreement was reached at the end of June on the EU Telecoms Single Market Regulation. As a result, from June 2017 onwards, consumers will no longer face mobile roaming charges in the EU. This outcome is one that Government has consistently championed from the beginning of negotiations.

As an interim measure, from January 2016 until June 2017, consumers will continue to pay mobile roaming charges in the EU at rates calculated from the domestic tariffs plus the wholesale roaming caps currently in force. These rates will be comparable with, or lower than, existing caps. UK mobile service providers may offer roaming tariffs below these rates, as several of them do already.

The eventual cessation of mobile roaming charges, will mean that British citizens travelling abroad can enjoy using their mobile without fear of extortionate costs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5902
Session
2015-16
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Fees and charges Mobile phones
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk