A group of smaller mobile operators and MVNOs have called on the EU to work faster on reducing wholesale roaming prices if it wants to achieve the goal of 'roam like home' across the union by June 2017. The roaming coalition, which includes operators such as 3, Free and Play as well as industry group MVNO Europe covering together nearly 70 million customers, welcomed the cut from 30 April of retail roaming prices. However, they see a need for a sharp reduction in the current wholesale roaming price caps in order to allow smaller operators to compete. In particular, wholesale data roaming prices need to come down from the current "unjustifiably" high level above domestic wholesale rates in many countries.
The group said the European Commission will need to come up with a legislative proposal by June if it's to complete the process of obtaining approval from Parliament and the Council by the current deadline of 15 June 2017 for an end to all roaming surcharges. Without any further steep reduction in wholesale roaming price caps, a large number of mobile operators may decide or be forced to impose restrictions on users when roaming abroad through complex and unfriendly contractual clauses, the operators warned.
The European Commission has already held a public consultation on wholesale roaming and has said it aims to come with a proposal by June. The differences in roaming versus domestic rates and between EU countries was flagged already in 2014 by EU regulator Berec, before the latest roaming regulation was adopted. The regulator had warned that without further intervention in the wholesale market, 'roam like home' may not prove tenable.
Source: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/mobile-operators-call-for-eu-action-on-wholesale-roaming--1141689
