New EU roaming rules for mobile phone users have come into effect after the previous EU Roaming regulation of 2017 ended yesterday.
The “Roam-like-at-home” initiative has been extended until 2032 and allows travellers in the European Union and the European Economic Area to call, text and surf the internet abroad without extra charges.
The new rules mean that a roaming customer who can use 5G services at home should also have 5G roaming services when this is available in another member state.
Consumers will also be better informed about the types of services that can bring additional costs, such as calling customer service numbers, helpdesks or insurance companies.
These services can be free of charge or cost less when phoning from home, but when roaming additional charges may apply.
As part of the new regulation, consumers will be informed by text message about additional charges for using roaming services on so-called non-terrestrial networks.
Such networks are usually used for mobile connections on board planes and boats and are not covered by roaming rules.
The new regulation will also improve access to emergency communications with roaming customers receiving a message when they enter a member state with information about calls to ‘112’ and other means of contacting emergency services.
Since the United Kingdom has left the EU, the “Roam-like-at-home” regime does not apply, however, some operators have chosen to keep the benefits of free roaming.
Customers are advised to check with their operators before travelling to the UK.
Article Source – New EU roaming rules come into force – Brian O’Donovan – RTE