ME online editor Stuart O'Brien on what the EU data roaming caps could mean for us...
So, the Council of EU Telecoms Ministers has agreed to cap data roaming charges at a wholesale price of one euro per megabyte.Sounds brilliant, doesn't it? I for one can't wait until I'm on the beach next summer and able to access the latest football transfer gossip without needing to remortgage.
Actually, it's not that simple. As with most things that involve the words 'European' and 'Union' the agreement contains more caveats than the small print on an insurance contract.
The measures have been in pipeline for a long time now, part of EU commissioner Viviane Reding's quest to increase competition and reduce end-user pricing.
There's been widespread operator resistance to the reforms and because of that the proposals outlined last night are a somewhat watered down version of what was initially called for.
Article continues belowAdvertisement
For starters, that data roaming cap is for wholesale only (i.e. what operators charge each other for allowing customers to roam on each other's networks).
This means there's a very good chance that consumers won't feel the full effect of the cap as operators seek to maintain as much margin as possible.
France Telecom-owned Orange was the loudest voice of dissent today, warning that the EU measures are ultimately bad news for consumers. Why? Because without income from roaming they won't be able to invest in the infrastructure required for sexy new services.
We'll see. Either way, assuming the European Parliament ratifies the reform (which it's expected to), the caps should come into effect from July 1st next year, right at the start of Europe's holiday season.
There's an opportunity here for operators drive a little more momentum into the consumer mobile data market. Will they grasp it? Or will I be stuck not knowing whether Fabregas actually joined Barcelona or not?
Still, with voice rates coming down too, I guess one could just phone a friend.
