For years now the rates for so-called roaming, wireless cell phone connections to foreign networks, have clearly been excessive. Urgently needed is therefore a Europe-wide approach providing sustained relief for individuals. At the moment, a corresponding Draft Regulation is being discussed at the European level.
The German Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos stated in his function as EU Council President for the telecommunications sector that the "Goal of the Regulation must be the assured protection of the customer from excessive roaming charges. I will therefore invest all my energy at the Informal Meeting of European telecommunications ministers in Hanover on Thursday to identify common elements and agree on a joint position. It is particularly important in this area for all to be persuaded of the need for a consumer protection rate."
Important detail questions relating to the Draft Regulation have, as yet, not been resolved. They include items such as price levels and the specific structuring of provisions for end customers. It is expected that the ministers will largely agree on the need for a Regulation, both for large-scale and end customers, without paralysing competition among mobile telephony operators. There will also presumably be agreement on a necessary improvement of rules governing transparency.
The Informal Meeting aims at fostering progress in the further discussions and helping them take a big step forward. The objective of the German EU Presidency is to reach a political agreement at the Council of telecommunications minister in Luxembourg this coming June.
