South Down MP Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has welcomed a confirmation by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries that summer 2015 “should be the last summer when the average consumer pays roaming charges” in a response to a question she tabled.
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Margaret Ritchie MP has expressed her concern about roaming charges for mobile phones.[/caption]
The European Commission and the European Parliament agreed that people travelling within the EU could use their mobile phones on the same tariffs as is in their Member State, which has not yet been implemented.
Ms Ritchie said: “I tabled a question to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport asking him to outline what steps he was taking to abolish roaming charges for mobile phone users from Northern Ireland travelling to the Republic of Ireland or for those who live in border areas.
“Research by Ofcom in 2012 found that people who live in and work along the north Antrim coast and in border areas who unintentionally ‘roam’ into the South can incur additional charges of up to £300 a year.
“I am delighted that the Minister of for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries has now indicated in his answer to my question that roaming charges within the EU should be abolished within a year. This is fantastic news for Northern Ireland consumers, not least for those in border constituencies, and I will request regular updates and continue to pursue the Minister on this matter to ensure that roaming charges are totally eradicated.”
Ms Ritchie asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to abolish roaming charges for mobile phone users (a) travelling to and (b) unintentionally connecting to a network based in the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Edward Vaizey responded: “During negotiations on the EU Connected Continent package, the UK has consistently pushed for more and faster reductions to roaming charges, leading as soon as possible to their abolition. The Government believes that roaming charges have no place in a digital single market and the Minister for Culture, Communications & Creative Industries reiterated at the Telecoms Council meeting on Friday 12 June that this should be the last summer when the average consumer pays roaming charges.
“Ofcom in Northern Ireland has taken an active interest in inadvertent roaming, particularly in border areas and along the north Antrim coast. A consumer guide to Inadvertent Roaming, published in January 2014 is available:
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