Hayes calls decision to delay roaming charges abolition date a cop out

Fine Gael Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes has today (Monday) expressed his frustration that the abolition of roaming charges for mobile phones will not occur until at least 2018. The European Council recently granted an extension for abolishing the charges which were due to come into force at the end of this year.

“I believe the decision taken by the European Council is a retrograde step. Since 2007 the roaming regulations have progressively reduced the cost for EU citizens using a mobile phone while in a different EU member state.

“Last year the European Parliament voted to abolish roaming charges at the end of 2015. It is unacceptable that EU Citizens will now have to continue paying roaming charges for a further 3 years. I would also be interested in hearing the rationale for this from the Irish Government and how this came about?

“The European Council argues that mobile providers need more time to adapt to the changing circumstances. Quite frankly this is a cop out.

“Mobile phone providers have had a long time to prepare for this day. The roaming regulations have existed for almost 9 years. It was not a big secret that the day of roaming charges was coming to the end. The decision is extremely disappointing. I will be raising this matter next week in the European Parliament and demanding that the Council reconsider this position again.”