EU Telecoms Policy

Latest news about the European Union's policy on telecommunications.

Price caps introduced on international calls within the EU — 15 May 2019, 18:23 CET

A new maximum price for all international calls and SMS within the EU applies from 15 May, when consumers calling another EU country will pay a maximum amount of 19 cents per minute (+VAT).

Caps on international calls and SMS within the EU — 13 May 2019, 23:13 CET

As of 15 May, a new maximum price will apply for all international calls and SMS within the EU.

European Parliament formally adopts new telecom rules and caps expensive intra-EU calls — 14 November 2018, 20:33 CET

The European Parliament has today formally confirmed the deal reached last June between MEPs and Member States on a broad reform of the EU’s telecoms rules.

MEPs vote to cap the price of phone calls — 15 November 2018, 13:49 CET

The European Parliament approved Wednesday the EU's telecoms package that caps intra-EU calls, makes super-fast 5G networks possible by 2020 and creates alert system for emergencies.

Digital rights open up for holidaymakers across EU — 03 August 2018, 12:26 CET

Following the end of roaming charges across the European Union last year, holidaymakers are now able to travel with their online TV, film, sports, music or e-book subscriptions at no extra cost.

Political agreement on the rules shaping the telecommunication markets in the 5G era — 06 June 2018, 23:38 CET

The European Parliament and the Council reached late on 5 June a political agreement to update the EU's telecoms rules. The new European Electronic Communications Code, proposed by the Commission, will boost investments in very high capacity networks across the EU, including in remote and rural areas.

EU agrees cap on international call fees by 2019, 5G network by 2020 — 06 June 2018, 23:48 CET

The Euro-Parliament and Council reached political agreement to update the EU's telecoms rules late Tuesday, giving EU citizens access to a 5G network by 2020 and capping costs of international calls.

Screening of telecoms websites — 21 May 2018, 17:38 CET

The European Commission and national consumer protection authorities published on 18 May results of an EU-wide screening of 207 websites offering fixed/mobile phone, internet, audio and video streaming services.

Telecoms sites misleading customers, EU sweep shows — 23 May 2018, 00:01 CET

Sites offering telecoms services could be infringing EU consumer law, according to results of an EU-wide screening of websites offering fixed/mobile phone, internet, audio and video streaming services.

EU radio spectrum deal paves way for 5G — 06 March 2018, 22:40 CET

The European Parliament, the EU Council and the Commission have reached a provisional political agreement on several important parts regarding the EU's new telecom rules and radio spectrum policy.

Legislators should not lose sight of correcting discriminatory wholesale roaming charges despite progress on EECC — 08 February 2018, 17:05 CET

Legislators make welcome progress on pro-competitive radio spectrum aspects of the draft European Electronic Communications Code, but high wholesale roaming charges are still hurting MVNOs and damaging competition for mobile services.

Study on Spectrum Assignment in the European Union — 23 October 2017, 22:56 CET

The objective of the study on Spectrum assignments in the EU was to assess the specific elements, processes and conditions under which radio spectrum, in particular for 5G usage including wireless broadband, should be authorised and assigned by Member States and how timely access to spectrum can contribute more fully to the general objectives set out by the EU regulatory framework (SMART 2016/0019). The study has determined that both regulators and mobile operators would generally prefer to continue adopting the current approach to spectrum authorisation and assignment and that the current authorisation framework is generally fit for delivering current services.

EU states set for talks on new telecoms rules, 5G — 12 October 2017, 13:44 CET

EU Member States signalled their readiness Wednesday to begin talks with the European Parliament on new rules for the electronic communications sector that will prepare Europe for the era of 5G.

MEPs seek cheaper intra-EU phone calls — 04 October 2017, 13:43 CET

Long-distance intra-EU calls should cost the same as calling within the same country, according to a draft law approved by a European Parliament committee on Monday.

Europeans start to roam like at home — 27 September 2017, 23:17 CET

Europeans are aware of new EU mobile roaming rules and have started changing their habits when travelling abroad, a survey conducted after the first summer without the charges shows.

End of mobile roaming charges in the EU — 14 June 2017, 22:40 CET

EU roaming charges no longer apply from 15 June 2017, meaning Europeans 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.

EU spectrum boost for connectivity in run-up to 5G — 26 April 2017, 18:38 CET

The EU adopted a decision on opening the 700 MHz frequency band for wireless broadband services Tuesday, in order to boost mobile connectivity and drive the roll-out of 5G technology.

Mobile roaming surcharges in EU to end by summer — 08 April 2017, 23:01 CET

The last hurdle on the way to ending retail 'roaming' surcharges, scheduled for 15 June 2017, was cleared Thursday as the European Parliament voted for the abolition of wholesale price caps.

After-sales calls should not be excessive: EU Court — 03 March 2017, 00:22 CET

The cost of making a call to an after-sales telephone number must not exceed the cost of a standard call, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.

Agreement on roaming wholesale caps detrimental to competition and end-users — 01 February 2017, 18:19 CET

Yesterday evening, an agreement was reached between EU lawmakers and Member States on the level of caps for the wholesale roaming charges mobile network operators pay each other when their customers call, send texts or use their data in another EU member State.

End to mobile roaming charges in sight as EU agrees price caps — 02 February 2017, 18:38 CET

The EU institutions agreed Tuesday evening on price caps for wholesale mobile roaming markets - the prices operators charge each other when customers use other networks when roaming in the EU.

5G mobile internet a step closer with 700 MHz deal — 16 December 2016, 15:55 CET

EU Member States will make the 700 MHz band available for wireless broadband by 2020, enabling a shift to 5G mobile internet, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed informally on Wednesday evening.

End of EU roaming charges in 2017 — 26 April 2017, 17:56 CET

You will not have roaming charges when travelling to another EU country from 15 June 2017. Every existing or new contract that includes roaming services will change to "roam like at home" contract. New EU rules will cover data services, voice calls and SMS.

Europe's Galileo satnav system goes live — 16 December 2016, 17:09 CET

Europe's satellite navigation system Galileo goes live for public authorities and businesses on Thursday, with the promise of accurate, fast and more reliable positioning for end users.

Find a Galileo-enabled device to use - UseGalileo.eu — 15 December 2016, 11:17 CET

Galileo is Europe's Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS), providing users with improved positioning and timing information. With the declaration of Initial Services, Galileo is moving from a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) in testing, to a live, operational service. For the first time, European satellites are providing users with global positioning, navigation and timing information. In the lead up to Galileo Initial Services, many forward-looking companies have created Galileo-enabled receivers, chipsets and modules – many of which are already available on the market. This tool helps you keep track of Galileo-enabled devices serving a variety of needs as they become available.