EU Destinations

 In June 2007, the European Union (EU) reached an agreement on a Regulation that places a price limit called the “Eurotariff” on the price of using your mobile phone while travelling within the EU. The Regulation proposed by the EU brings down mobile roaming charges with further reductions to come in July 2008, July 2009, July 2010 and July 2011. The roaming Regulation became law on 30 June 2007.

The Eurotariff came into effect for all consumers who use their mobile phone while travelling in the EU on 30 August 2007. ComReg has monitored compliance in this area and currently all Irish mobile operators are offering the "Eurotariff".

What you need to know about the Eurotariff

  • Your operator has automatically placed you on the “Eurotariff” since 30 August 2007.
  •  If you are already on a roaming package e.g. “Vodafone Passport” or 02’s “My Europe” you will remain on that package and will not be automatically put on the “Eurotariff” unless you specify otherwise.
  • The Eurotariff applies to both bill pay and pre pay customers.
  • Each mobile operator will not refer to the regulated tariff as the “Eurotariff” but may include the regulated tariff as part of current branded roaming offerings.

In September 2008 the European commission published a proposal to review the functioning of the roaming regulation.

As of 1 July 2009 the amended roaming regulations will come into force.

What kind of changes will come into force on 1 July 2009 ?

  • Euro SMS introduced :      Max charge 13c
  • Voice calls - To make :     Max charge 52c 
  • Voice calls - To receive :  Max charge 23c
  • A roaming price information SMS must be delivered to your mobile when you enter an EU country. The SMS must contain pricing information for voice, SMS, and data roaming. It must contain a freephone number to contact your operator if you require further pricing information. It also must include the European emergency services number (112).

What kind of changes will come into force in 2010 ?

  • From March 1 2010 operators shall provide a facility to help you monitor and control your data roaming spending. You will be able to opt in, free of charge, to a service which will notify you when you have reached a financial or data usage limit.
  • If you haven't opted in by July 2010, a financial limit not exceeding €50 will automatically apply to your account.
  • From 1 July 2010 mobile operators shall not charge customers for the receipt of a voicemail message

The table below shows the "Eurotariff" call costs charged by the mobile operators. The charges are shown at a per minute rate.

Eurotariff roaming rates provided by Irish operators

 

 Irish operator  Making a call  Receiving a call Sending an SMS Receiving an SMS
   €0.52  €0.23 €0.13 €0.00
   €0.52  €0.23 €0.13 €0.00
   €0.52  €0.23 €0.13 €0.00
   €0.52  €0.23 €0.13 €0.00
   €0.52  €0.23 €0.13 €0.00

Per second billing applies. Your operator may include a 30 second call set-up charge

 

Where does the Eurotariff apply?

 

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungray

Italy

Lativa

Lituania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugual

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom

 

 

 

Please note

Some mobile operators continue to have alternative roaming options available while travelling in the EU. For more information on this and other important details, please click on the appropriate link below.

3 Ireland    Meteor   O2   Vodafone  Tesco


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