Wholesale roaming regulation: A precondition for ‘roam like at home’

‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings aim to provide Members of the European Parliament with systematic and automatic analysis on all substantial proposals for EU legislation at every stage of the legislative procedure. Each contains an account of the purpose, content and legal aspects of the legislation proposed, in particular analysing what the legislation would change, as well as any previous legislation and the background. An overview of stakeholders’ views is also provided, as well as the opinions of national parliaments and the two advisory committees.

They are all made publicly available for stakeholders and the public.In 2015 the Council and European Parliament agreed in Regulation 2015/2120 that on 15 June 2017 roaming charges for mobile phone use would be abolished in the EU. After that date, 'roam like at home' (RLAH) would become a reality for all Europeans.

The regulation did not, however, address the wholesale roaming market, on account of the need to investigate market conditions in more depth. A review for the European Commission concluded that national wholesale roaming markets are not working well and need regulatory intervention. It therefore proposed a regulation establishing the maximum level of wholesale roaming charges that telecoms operators can charge each other, to take effect from 15 June 2017. Stakeholder reactions are divided: while consumers would enjoy free roaming, operators are worried about recovering costs at wholesale level.

On 29 November 2016, Parliament's Industry Committee voted for a reduction in the call and data wholesale caps proposed by the Commission.

During the third trilogue meeting on 31 January 2017, an agreement was reached between the Parliament and the Council that lowers significantly the wholesale data caps originally proposed.

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

ESO: Background information: Adoption of the Parliament's negotiating position on the regulation for wholesale roaming markets http://www.europeansources.info/record/adoption-of-the-parliaments-negotiating-position-on-the-regulation-for-wholesale-roaming-markets/

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 as regards rules for wholesale roaming markets http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-regulation-of-the-european-parliament-and-of-the-council-amending-regulation-eu-no-531-2012-as-regards-rules-for-wholesale-roaming-markets/

EP: EPRS: Briefing, December 2016: 'Roam like at home' by default http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/595857/EPRS_BRI(2016)595857_EN.pdf

ESO: Background information: Informal agreement on wholesale roaming markets reform, 31 January 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/informal-agreement-on-wholesale-roaming-markets-reform/

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