Metsola: postponing end of roaming charges unacceptable

Metsola joined MEPs from across the political divide to send a letter to all EU Telecommunications Ministers, appealing to them not to postpone the end to mobile phone roaming charges, earlier today.

"The move by some governments to postpone the end of unjustifiable mobile phone roaming fees across the European Union is unacceptable and is a setback to consumers across the continent," Metsola said.

Metsola is a Member of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee and has long called for an end to roaming fees in Europe.

"Last year, the European Parliament adopted a report calling for roaming charges to end by 15th December of this year. We are now seeing attempts by governments to backtrack and attempt to delay the end of the charges by a longer number of years,” Metsola said.

“This demonstrates lack of ambition. Roaming charges are part of an outdated business model and have no place in today's connected Europe. We need to ensure Europe has a true Digital Single Market."

"Important net neutrality principles should likewise not be weakened. We need to be determined to ensure that any legislation we have is fully in tune with the reality of the times," she added.

Metsola called for the government of Malta to make its position on the issue clear.

"I hope that Malta will be one of the countries pushing for real reform in this sector and backing our call to end roaming fees by December of this year."