I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 322 together.
EU "Roam Like at Home" (RLAH) will give Irish and EU consumers the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to Fair Use Policy, from 15 June 2017.
Throughout negotiations at EU level on this initiative, including at the EU Council of Ministers, Ireland has been fully supportive of the Roam Like at Home principle, and, in particular, the importance of obtaining a sustainable agreement for business and consumers alike.
As the European Commission has stated, the new EU rules will offer Roam Like at Home on data services, voice and SMS. There is no exemption for the data services, only exceptional limits in case of unlimited or very competitive offers. The Commission has also confirmed that it will also not be possible for operators to offer selective roaming on only part of a domestic plan.
With respect to the monitoring of any modification of contracts, that is a matter for the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, as the competent statutorily independent regulatory authority for Telecoms. ComReg will also be the authority which will regulate the Roam Like At Home regime in Ireland from 15 June 2017. As ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions, I have no authority to intervene in those functions.
I would expect all mobile operators to be fully compliant with Irish and EU legislation, including RLAH from 15 June 2017. The European Commission is currently collaborating with National Regulatory Authorities to provide detailed guidance on how Roam Like at Home can be introduced at retail level and is also working closely with consumer organisations across the EU (BEUC).
It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on matters which are independently regulated by ComReg. ComReg will have a role in scrutinising all existing and new mobile market offerings.
