Future changes to mobile roaming charges in Europe

[aviator1945]

W.e.f. 30 APR 2016 roaming charges for mobile connections within the EU and EEA are being further capped, in relation to what is the case today. W.e.f. 15 JUN 2017 these charges will be totally abolished.

 

However, I assume that this regulation only applies to when the SIM card being used is issued by a European telecommunications provider and purchased within the EU or EEA, since the EU telecoms regulator doesn't have jurisdiction over providers in other countries. So if you arrive from a country outside of the EU or EEA, you may wish to

1. Buy a SIM card upon arrival (avbl at most airports); and

2. Before you pay, check with the salesperson that the SIM card can be used for roaming within the EU and EEA, and that it's not restricted to the country in which it is bought.

 

Details at http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/money-charges/mobile-roaming-costs/index_en.htm. Approximate exchange rates at http://www.xe.com.

 

So, less reason to use ships' wifi, since most intra-European cruises are port intensive. However, be aware of that most cruise lines, for tax and customs reasons, make sure to schedule at least one stop in a non-EU, non-EEA country, e.g. Montenegro or Turkey.

[SensFan11]

W.e.f. 30 APR 2016 roaming charges for mobile connections within the EU and EEA are being further capped, in relation to what is the case today. W.e.f. 15 JUN 2017 these charges will be totally abolished.

 

However, I assume that this regulation only applies to when the SIM card being used is issued by a European telecommunications provider and purchased within the EU or EEA, since the EU telecoms regulator doesn't have jurisdiction over providers in other countries. So if you arrive from a country outside of the EU or EEA, you may wish to

1. Buy a SIM card upon arrival (avbl at most airports); and

2. Before you pay, check with the salesperson that the SIM card can be used for roaming within the EU and EEA, and that it's not restricted to the country in which it is bought.

 

Details at http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/money-charges/mobile-roaming-costs/index_en.htm. Approximate exchange rates at http://www.xe.com.

 

So, less reason to use ships' wifi, since most intra-European cruises are port intensive. However, be aware of that most cruise lines, for tax and customs reasons, make sure to schedule at least one stop in a non-EU, non-EEA country, e.g. Montenegro or Turkey.

 

I've been wondering about this for our European cruise this summer...anyone here had good success with a SIM card bought in Barcelona that worked throughout the EU...I'm particularly looking for a good price for data.

[astera]

I'm particularly looking for a good price for data.

 

Calls within the EU are already extremely cheap, even when roaming. It's data roaming that still remains overprices IMO, but that will change too. Once roaming charges disappear entirely you will be able to use your data across the EU as if you were in the country where you bought the SIM.

 

Until then you are paying a roaming surcharge that is still 50 Euros extra for 1000MB of data (5 Eurocents/MB), which is quite a lot. Not a biggie if you just intend to send emails, but if you are data-heavy you'd be better off picking up a new SIM in the very country in which you intend to use it.