BRUSSELS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union (EU) and the European Commission on Wednesday said in a joint statement that the end of roaming charges is at the foundation of the EU's Digital Single Market and is another step towards building a united and sustainable European digital society.
Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament, Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, on behalf of the Maltese presidency of the Council of the EU, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission said in the statement, "From now on, citizens who travel within the EU will be able to call, text and connect on their mobile devices at the same price as they pay at home. Eliminating roaming charges is one of the greatest and most tangible successes of the EU."
As from June 15, mobile users travelling to other countries in the EU will be able to call, text or surf the net without paying any extra charges.
Roaming without paying surcharges, or "roam like at home", is for those living in Europe and who travel to other EU countries for work or leisure. It will also be introduced in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway shortly after June 15, according to the Council of the EU.
However, it said that this is not intended to allow permanent roaming where a customer would take out a subscription in the cheapest possible country and use it to roam in his home country.
The three institutions said that the EU has managed to find the right balance between the end of roaming charges and the need to keep domestic mobile packages competitive and attractive. Thus, operators have had two years to prepare for the end of roaming charges.
