Ofcom have already forced mobile networks to reduce the cost to make and receive a call while in the EU making going abroad much cheaper. The calling costs are now capped at 28 pence for a call made in the EU back to the United Kingdom, and 19 pence to receive a call while in an EU country.
Last year the European Telecom Commissioner stated that she would impose a similar cap on data roaming costs if operators did not start lowering their costs. Cutting the cost of wholesale data is the first step, once enough operators are on board then consumer costs will drop - hopefully to a flat rate cost throughout the EU.
So five operators over Europe have joined together to agree a new wholesale rate. The operators, including 3, KPN and Base cover 10 European markets, over 60% of the European Union. As of March 1st the new agreed rate between the five operators will be 0.25 Euros, or 19 pence per MB.
So fingers crossed this will be the start of lower data roaming rates across Europe.
