Irish “Eurotariff” rates have been lower than the EU/EEA average and as a result of the new rates volumes have grown 52pc between 2008 and 2009, according to figures revealed by ComReg.
EU-wide Roaming Regulation has been a success for Irish consumers, says ComReg, with the retail “Eurotariff” price for sending a text message at a cap of 11 cents and the price per megagbit of raming data has fallend significantly in line with the regulated price cap of €1.
The effect of the regulation on bill utilisation has meant the level of surcharge for Irish billed process for “Eurotariff” calls made has fallen from 39pc in Q1 of 2009 to 16pc in Q$ 2009.
A surcharge currently applies as Irish mobile operators have chosen to include the option to apply a minimum set-up charge. The surcharge for Irish retail “Eurotariff prices for calls is now zero, which ComReg says reflects per second billing for these calls by operators.
And there’s more good news to come. The cost of making a call will reduce from 53 cents to 47 cents.
The price of receiving a call while roaming will reduce from 23 cents to 18 cents including VAT.
There will be no charge for consumers who receive a voicemail message while roaming.
A new measure introduced will also mean consumers will be opted-in to a €60 limit of spend on data while roaming in the EU. Consumers can change this limit if they wish.
ComReg has published an interactive price guide at www.callcosts.ie/roaming, which includes a roaming calculator which allows them to compare the Eurotariff against any other roaming plan their operator may offer.
“I am pleased to see that Irish mobile operators are clearly achieving a high level of compliance with the EU-wide Roaming Regulation, and I am even more pleased to note that still further price reductions are imminent,” Communications Minister Eamon Ryan TD said.
“ComReg’s co-ordinating role in this area continues to deliver real value to consumers,” Ryan added.
