Current average price for 1 gigabyte of data roaming at €2.77 for end consumers

"The telecom ministers of the EU Member States must prove today that they are really working for the benefit of citizens, not just for their former state-owned telecom companies", said Paul Rübig MEP ahead today’s meeting of the Permanent Representatives of Member States.

Member States agree today on their position for the upcoming negotiations with the European Parliament. Amongst others they will agree on the exact heights of the planned price cap, and when telecom companies bill roaming fees to one another. Parliament calls for further price cuts.

It is only logical that wholesale prices must be lower than retail prices.

Paul Rübig MEP

Rübig, who is the EPP Group’s negotiator of the draft law, wants the wholesale price cap to be fixed below the average retail price. "Now, 1 gigabyte of data roaming costs on average €2.77 for end consumers in the EU. It is only logical that wholesale prices must be lower than retail prices. The propositions by the Member States, which are up to three times higher, will just drive customers out of cellular networks into local WLANs", Rübig said.

"When we regulate how telecom providers bill each other's roaming charges, we must make sure that this leads to lower prices for consumers, both at home and abroad. We will stand firm on the promise made to consumers that roaming charges will disappear this summer", Rübig stressed.

Note to Editors

The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 217 Members from 27 Member States

MEP Contacts

Paul RÜBIG

BRU - Tel: +32 (0)2 2845749 Fax: +32 (0)2 2849749

STR - Tel: +33 (0)3 88 175749 Fax: +33 (0)3 88 179749

Email: paul.ruebig@europarl.europa.eu

Twitter: @paulruebig

Press Contacts

Daniel Köster

Phone: +32 487 384 784

Email: daniel.koster@europarl.europa.eu

Twitter: @KosterEU