The European Council yesterday issued the legal act that limits the money that mobile phone companies will charge fortreatment, which is the final step before the definitive cessation of these charges.
The script "roaming as if you were in your batch"Will enter into force throughout the European Union on 15 June. Preliminary agreement to end charges for all EU citizens using mobile device in another European country, different from their own, was agreed in June 2015.
This February reached the final agreement between the EU executive body, the European Commission and the European Parliament. The vote of the European Council was the last obstacle.
In a statement yesterday by the Council, Dr Emmanuel Mallia, Malta's Minister, said that: "Today's final vote in the Council paves the way for free movement. When Europeans go on holiday this summer, they will be able to enjoy the freedom of being able to stay in touch and use thenetwork as if they were at home. The EU has made our lives easier in a very practical way."
In addition to the 28 EU member states, the roaming charge measure will also apply to the countries of the European Economic Area, i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Νορβηγία.
With regard to the final stages of the complete abolition of roaming charges, the agreed text of the Roaming Regulation should be signed by the Council and the EU Parliament in mid-May and published in the Official Journal of the EU by the end of May. From there, it will take effect three days after publication, with a final date on June 15.