Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
89 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to his plans to reduce roaming charges for mobile phone users in Border areas whose phones may stray on to UK networks; if his attention has been drawn to ComReg’s response to his recent policy directive on the issue that it can only be dealt with on a pan-European basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13682/04]
View answerAs a Minister from a Border county, I am aware of the effect of high mobile call roaming charges on local people and businesses and have spoken previously on my dissatisfaction at the level of call roaming charges being applied by mobile operators in this State.
I acknowledge the efforts made by ComReg and some operators in addressing this issue to date. However, the issue is not simply one of mobile operators introducing all-Ireland tariffs, although this in itself is to be welcomed. The level of such tariffs and the terms and conditions attached also need to be examined in order to ensure that consumers are getting a fair deal and value for money. The regulation of call roaming charges, comes under ComReg's jurisdiction, but as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy.
I recently issued policy directions to ComReg, focusing on competition generally, wholesale and retail telephone line rental, interconnection and leased lines, national and cross-Border roaming and broadband. These policy directions were issued in the context of the new EU regulatory framework. The direction on competition mandated ComReg to focus on competition as a key objective, with a particular focus on competition in the fixed and mobile markets, and the policy direction on cross-Border roaming directed ComReg to work closely with operators and Ofcom, the regulator for Northern Ireland, to encourage and support initiatives that would reduce or eliminate cross-Border roaming charges, and encourage national call charging on an all-island basis.
One appropriate mechanism for advancing this issue is the European one. I am aware that ComReg participates within the independent regulators group and the European regulators group with a view to agreeing a co-ordinated action plan on a market review for international roaming. The issue of inadvertent roaming when mobile users near the Border inadvertently cross on to another network, without actually crossing the Border, has been discussed at a number of Ireland and UK bilateral meetings and ComReg will continue to work with Ofcom on seeking further progress on this issue. ComReg has a memorandum of understanding with the UK Regulator, Ofcom, on cross-Border co-ordination of GSM and 3G frequencies and there is also a memorandum of understanding in place between Irish and UK operators aimed at improving co-operation in the Border region. Minimising cross-Border roaming costs on the island of Ireland would be beneficial for all Irish mobile phone users, particularly those who live close to the Border, and I welcome the continuous work being done by ComReg in this area.
