Further reduction of rates for roaming calls in the European Union
As from the 30th August 2008, the price ceiling for roaming calls – the Eurotariff – has been reduced from € 0.49 to € 0.46 per minute (excluding VAT) , for making a call and from € 0.24 to €0.22 per minute excluding VAT for receiving a call while in another EU Member State .These reductions have been introduced by the EU Roaming Regulation . This Regulation has been introduced in order to control the excessive roaming charges that consumers has to pay for roaming calls while travelling in the Single Market.
The Roaming Regulation is, however, limited to voice calls only, not text messages. It expires on the 30th June 2010 unless it is decided to extend it following a Commission proposal. Under the present EU Roaming Regulation , the prices for roaming calls will be lowered for the last time on the 30th August 2009 to € 0.43 per minute for making calls and to € 0.19 per minute for receiving calls.
The price reductions for roaming calls are applicable in all 27 Member States.