Technical issues on roaming: Transparency, technical aspects and data overview related to the proposed regulation on roaming

This Briefing Note analyses some of the fundamental aspects of the the European Commission Proposal on the subject of roaming, COM (2006)382 of 12 July 2006, which proposed to modify the regulation of mobile communications, resulting in important reductions of roaming tariffs within the Community. The briefing examines the efficiency and concrete applicability of the measures introduced by the Proposal, and the envisaged requirements of transparency and information on roaming costs charged by mobile network operators. The briefing consists of four sections, analysing the following issues: transparency, technical infrastructure, overview of existing data, and feasibility of technical implementation.

Update: Regulation (EC) No 717/2007 on roaming on public mobile telephone networks within the Community (the Roaming Regulation) came into force in June 2007.