| European Union regulation | |
| Text with EEA relevance | |
 | |
| Title | Regulation (EU) 2022/612 |
|---|---|
| Made by | European Parliament & Council |
| Journal reference | [1] |
| Other legislation | |
| Replaces | Regulation 531/2012 |
| Current legislation | |
The Roaming Regulation 2022 ((EU) 2022/612) bans roaming charges (Eurotariff) within the European Economic Area (EEA), which consists of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This regulates both the charges mobile network operator can impose on its subscribers for using telephone and data services outside of the network's member state, and the wholesale rates networks can charge each other to allow their subscribers access to each other's networks. The 2012 Regulation was recast in 2022.
Since 2007, the roaming regulations have steadily lowered the maximum roaming charges allowable. In December 2016, the representatives of the Member States voted to abolish all roaming charges by June 2017[1] which eventually led to the abolition of all roaming charges for temporary roaming within the EEA as of 15 June 2017.
Provisions regulating roaming charges are contained in several regulations: Regulation No 531/2012[2] on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union, Regulation 2015/2120[3] and Regulation 2017/920[4] amending it, as well as Regulation 2016/2286[5] laying down detailed rules on the application of the fair use policy and Regulation 2021/2228[6] setting the weighted average of maximum mobile termination rates. As regards rules for wholesale roaming market, these are amended by Regulation 2017/920.[7] Originally due to expire after 30 June 2022, a 10-year extension was agreed upon in April 2022. The current roaming regulation expires after 30 June 2032.[8]
Research shows that the ban on roaming charges in 2017 more than doubled mobile data usage among travelers and led to a total consumer surplus of €2 billion within the first six months of implementation. The ban was likely overall welfare improving, as consumer gains exceeded the losses incurred by mobile network operators.[9]
- ^ "Roaming". Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union Text with EEA relevance, 30 June 2012, retrieved 8 September 2020
- ^ Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 laying down measures concerning open internet access and amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services and Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (Text with EEA relevance), 26 November 2015, retrieved 8 September 2020
- ^ Regulation (EU) 2017/920 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 as regards rules for wholesale roaming marketsText with EEA relevance., 9 June 2017, retrieved 8 September 2020
- ^ Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2286 of 15 December 2016 laying down detailed rules on the application of fair use policy and on the methodology for assessing the sustainability of the abolition of retail roaming surcharges and on the application to be submitted by a roaming provider for the purposes of that assessment (Text with EEA relevance ), 17 December 2016, retrieved 8 September 2020
- ^ Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2228 of 14 December 2021 setting the weighted average of maximum mobile termination rates across the Union and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2082, 15 December 2021, retrieved 19 January 2022
- ^ "EUR-Lex – 32017R0920 – EN – EUR-Lex". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Mobile roaming with no extra fees to continue, following Council approval". www.consilium.europa.eu. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ Quinn, Martin; de Matos, Miguel Godinho; Peukert, Christian (2024). "The Welfare Effects of Mobile Internet Access: Evidence from Roam-Like-at-Home". The Economic Journal. doi:10.1093/ej/uead101. hdl:10419/252129. ISSN 0013-0133.