In a move hailed by consumer
groups, the European Parliament on Thursday voted to end
mobile-phone roaming fees and barred telecoms operators from
prioritizing some Internet traffic in order to maintain
so-called "net neutrality".
The legislation, which is aimed at creating a single market
for telecom services, will phase out roaming fees across the
28-member European Union by December 2015, boost mobile and
broadband consumer protections, and make the sale of mobile
licenses uniform across the Union.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) hailed the reform as
"good news for an open Internet and universal access to content
of public value".
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) said it was
"reassured" by Thursday's vote to phase out expensive roaming
fees, which it said have no place in a unified telecoms market.
"This is a historic turning point for millions of consumers
who will no longer have to pay extra when using their cell
phones in another EU country," said center-right Forza Italia
MEP Licia Ronzulli.
The move will allow consumers to choose freely between
operators offering competitive rates in a unified market, and
create a secure online business climate, she added.
"Companies will be able to make deals across Europe with
just one click. This will mean huge savings in time and money,
which will surely make our small-and-medium businesses more
competitive," Ronzulli explained.
Also on Thursday, a ThinkYoung non-profit organization
survey of 1,000 Europeans aged 18-34 by showed that 93% said
excessive roaming charges limited their use of the Internet
while traveling, 81% said they wanted Internet access with no
restrictions, and 79% said they want EU lawmakers to guarantee
fair telecom pricing.
"The young have spoken loud and clear: they want an end to
roaming and unlimited access to the Internet," said EU Digital
Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
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