UK and France fight for roaming charges rethink

Serious differences among member states on the regulation of roaming fees charged to consumers for mobile calls made or received abroad could delay the introduction of new rules this summer.

Opposition from France and the UK could yet derail the German presidency of the EU’s plans to push for a first reading agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers on the regulation.

While there is overall agreement on the need to cap the wholesale tariffs charged by foreign network operators to home operators, the regulation of retail tariffs charged to consumers remains a sticking point.

According to an EU source, France and the UK are planning to launch a campaign for a sunrise clause that would allow delays on the introduction of retail roaming prices charged to consumers.

Both countries are expected to argue their point, with the backing of other member states, at the forthcoming Spring European Council (8-9 March).

"The German presidency and Parliament are both in favour of a consumer protection tariff. But there are the tendencies of the French and UK to complicate it a bit and introduce a sunrise clause," said the source.

A British diplomat insisted that London was still reflecting on how proposals could be made more flexible. "We want to get this through as soon as possible, but we also want to make sure it takes the right form," she said.

"It is essential that any regulation allows enough market flexibility so that operators and retailers are able to deliver innovation and price structures quickly to customers. We think there is a case for introducing more flexibility," the diplomat added.

Germany would prefer to introduce caps without any delays by the end of its presidency in June. The presidency’s preference for a wholesale cap of €0.49 per minute for outgoing calls and a retail cap of €0.25 per minute for incoming calls is close to the original proposals from Viviane Reding, European commissioner for the information society.

Austrian centre-right MEP Paul Rübig, rapporteur on the dossier for Parliament’s industry, research and energy committee, has pushed for an ‘opt-in’ system whereby operators would be able to design custom tariffs. Industry warmed to this proposal at a Parliamentary hearing last week (23 January).

Parliament’s timetable for adoption

8 February - EPP-ED hearing on roaming

27 February - discussion in Parliament’s industry, research and energy committee (ITRE)

28 February - discussion in Parliament’s internal market and consumer protection committee (IMCO)

2 March - deadline for IMCO amendments

9 March - deadline for ITRE amendments

27 March - IMCO vote

11 April - ITRE vote

8 May - first reading vote in Parliamentary plenary session

Serious differences among member states on the regulation of roaming fees charged to consumers for mobile calls made or received abroad could delay the introduction of new rules this summer.