Introduction to Roaming

What is Roaming?

We talk about roaming when we use the mobile phone abroad for telephony, SMS and data. But being able to roam is not a given. There is a lot of coordination necessary between the operators in the different countries. However, in the end customers can use their phones and smartphones when travelling - without the need for any specific activity to initiate it. Even though customers only have a contract with their local operator in their home country, they will be enabled to use a third-party network abroad.

International operators, for their part, conclude roaming contracts with each other and determine the charges for their services. These are wholesale and termination charges.

Until more than ten years ago, these charges knew no limits. The charges between the operators and the onward billing to the end customers were decided by them alone. However, European Union (EU) legislators considered it necessary to remove not only borders for people and goods within the EU but also to lower prices for services such as mobile roaming.

At first, the legislators introduced upper limits for charges followed by the ‘roam like at home’ principle. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) gives valuable ongoing input to support the successful implementation of this principle.

What is the ‘roam like at home’ principle?

On 15 June 2017, the Roaming Regulation introduced the ‘roam like at home’ principle in the EU, including the European Economic Area States of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. It allows customers to use their smartphones abroad as if they were at home. The prices stay the same and the included minutes, SMS and data can be used from the customers’ own home mobile packages.

Since then, the BEREC International Roaming Benchmark Data and Monitoring Reports have reflected the unquestioned success of the Roaming Regulation as the numbers of calls and data used abroad skyrocketed. Subsequently, BEREC has supported the harmonised application of the Regulation by issuing Wholesale and Retail Roaming Guidelines as well as Opinions on roaming.

BEREC Wholesale Roaming Guidelines

The latest BEREC Guidelines on the application of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2022/612 of 6 April 2022 on roaming on public communications networks within the Union – the BEREC Wholesale Roaming Guidelines – were published in 2022 and replaced those of 2017. They now take into account the changes introduced by the new Regulation (EU) 2022/612 of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union – the Roaming Regulation – as well as the new obligations regarding Quality of Service.

Wholesale roaming is primarily about the obligation of mobile network operators to comply with all reasonable requests for wholesale roaming access. This applies to both direct wholesale roaming access and wholesale roaming access for resale. In all cases, the access provided must allow roaming providers to replicate the retail mobile services offered domestically, where technically feasible. This applies to all EU Member States (MS), as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (if implemented accordingly).

BEREC Retail Roaming Guidelines

The BEREC Guidelines on Regulation (EU) 2022/612 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2286 – the BEREC Retail Roaming Guidelines – were revised in 2022 and replaced those from 2017. They explain the new Roaming Regulation and the European Commission’s Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2286 laying down detailed rules on the application of fair use policy and on the methodology for assessing the sustainability of the abolition of retail roaming surcharges and on the application to be submitted by a roaming provider for the purposes of that assessment. The Guidelines explain the detailed rules on the application of the fair use policy, transparency provisions and provide some guidelines on emergency numbers and value-added services. In addition, they contain detailed explanations on the provisions on Quality of Service, as well as on the application of the transparency provisions for roaming on non-terrestrial networks.

What is the difference between “Roaming” and “Intra-EU communications”?

Intra-EU communications should not be confused with roaming. Learn more about Intra-EU communications comprising calls and SMS in the video below.

Why is BEREC involved?

With its expertise on the subject, BEREC has been providing advice to the EU on questions of connectivity abroad for several years. The BEREC guidelines have helped to harmonise the provisions in the MS and in addition BEREC has been monitoring how they have been implemented.

Providing guidelines and opinions

BEREC has published guidelines and opinions on roaming and Intra-EU Communications. These guidelines serve as a reference for the National Regulatory Authorities (NRA) in implementing and enforcing EU regulations related to roaming charges, fair pricing, consumer protection, Quality of Service, and other relevant aspects. BEREC's guidelines aim to promote harmonisation and consistency across the EU MS, by ensuring that consumers and businesses receive a uniform level of service and protection. With its opinions, BEREC provides input to the EU institutions about changes that need to be made to existing rules or about new rules that need to be introduced.

Monitoring and assessing roaming markets

BEREC monitors and assesses the roaming markets within the EU MS to identify potential competition issues, market trends, and consumer concerns. By analysing market data and conducting studies, BEREC assesses the effectiveness of Regulations and measures in place to promote fair competition and affordable roaming services. This monitoring helps identify areas where further action or regulatory intervention may be necessary to improve the functioning of the market.

Promoting Transparency and Consumer Information

BEREC emphasises the importance of transparency and consumer information in roaming and Intra-EU Communications. It encourages NRAs and mobile operators to provide clear and accurate information to consumers regarding roaming charges, fair usage policies, coverage, and Quality of Service.

Check out the work of the International Roaming Working Group

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