Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
55. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement with mobile phone operators in relation to roaming charges post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1332/21]
View answerEU "Roam Like at Home" in effect since 15 June 2017, provides Irish and EU consumers with the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to Fair Use Policy. The regulation covers data services, voice and SMS.
Albeit that the "Roam Like at Home" has functioned well to date, in order to ensure market certainty and to minimise regulatory burden, the European Commission published a new proposal in February, to prolong the existing approach in relation to caps, derogations and fair use policy for a period of ten years, allowing for possible wholesale caps adjustment in 2026. From a consumer’s perspective, the revised regulation should improve quality of services when roaming, avoid bill shocks in terms of value added services while abroad, as well as ensure that consumers get access to emergency services like at home.
ComReg the independent telecoms regulator, is responsible for ensuring all providers meet relevant obligations in areas such as roaming alerts. ComReg also has information for customers in relation to roaming on their website.
My Department is in ongoing contact with industry and with ComReg and following Brexit, no changes in consumers' experience of using their mobile phone on the island of Ireland have been reported. While this is primarily a commercial matter for industry, operators have indicated they have no plans to change current arrangements and are continuing to apply the current roam like at home regime from January 2021 onwards. Going forward the situation will continue to be monitored.
