October 2, 2017

The European Commission reports that, according to a Flash Eurobarometer survey, the majority of Europeans recognise the benefits of roaming without extra charges. Thanks to the new EU roaming rules, which have been in place since 15 June 2017, consumers can use their mobile phone while travelling abroad in the EU as they would do at home without paying extra charges. The survey shows that 71% of Europeans are aware that roaming charges have ended and 72% think they, or someone they know, will benefit. Awareness of the new rules rises to 86% amongst those who have travelled since 15 June.

The survey was undertaken at the end of August, after the main holiday period. The results show people have already started to change their behaviour when using their mobile phones abroad:

• the share of travellers who used their mobile data while roaming as often as at home doubled among those who had travelled after 15 June 2017 (31%) compared to the ones who had travelled during the months before (15%);
• the share of travellers who never used mobile data abroad halved after 15 June 2017 (21%) compared to the months preceding that date (42%); and
• in general, restrictive mobile use abroad is diminishing with fewer travellers switching off their phones (12%) as compared to before 15 June (20%).

However, the survey also showed that, compared to mobile phone use in their home country, 60% of travellers still restricted their mobile phone use when travelling in another EU country after 15 June 2017.

Mobile operators have also already seen the change in travellers’ behaviour. Several operators reported a significant rise in data traffic this summer compared to summer 2016 (by 3 to 6 times, in some cases even more). While some of this increase reflects general year-on-year growth in data consumption in domestic markets, a substantial part can be attributed to the new roaming rules. The rise of roaming calls, although less marked, is also significant. In response, mobile operators in touristic areas reported investments in their networks to seize the opportunity presented by the increased demand from travellers.

In general, mobile operators have complied with the new rules. The Commission, in close cooperation with national regulators, will continue to monitor the developments on mobile markets in Member States to make sure operators continue to follow the new rules and consumers benefit from the end of roaming charges. To read the Commission’s press release in full, click here.