- 29 May 2008 - ISBC and ISBE supported by the FSB (Belfast, November 08)
- 19 Nov. 2007 - Rome I: Time for the EP to demonstrate its commitment to Better Regulation
- 01 Oct. 2007 - ESBA Backs Member's Campaign to Reduce Admin Burdens
- 29 June 2007 - ESBA welcomes the flexible approach to ‘Flexicurity’
- 24 May 2007 - Lower roaming charges are good news for SMEs, says ESBA
- 16 May 2007 - ESBA applauds MEPs for backing a Green Hydrogen Economy
- 12 March 2007 - Simplicity is key for SMEs in New Health and Safety Strategy
- 23 Feb. 2007 - Energy: ESBA supports binding targets for renewables
- 16 Feb. 2007 - New consumer rules will damage online business, says ESBA
- 13 Dec. 2006 - REACH vote in plenary – mixed result for SMEs
- 07 Dec. 2006 - ESBA welcomes MEP's call to withdraw ESCS Plan
- 06 Nov. 2006 - ESBA backs retaining the WTD opt-out clause
- 23 Oct. 2006 - ESBA Releases its new ‘ESBA Activities 2006-2007’ Publication
- 10 Oct. 2006 - ESBA says SMEs disappointed with EP vote on REACH
- 21 Sept. 2006 - ESBA case studies oppose the proposal on ESCS
- 07 Sept. 2006 - More Commission Staff should get Experience in SMEs!
- 30 Aug. 2006 - ESBA opposes the Commission's proposal on ESCS
- 24 July 2006 - ESBA supports a European SBAct
- 06 July 2006 - Retention of Earnings best way to finance SMEs
- 14 June 2006 - CIP is not enough!!
- 04 May 2006 - ESBA Elects its New President
- 14 Feb. 2006 - Services Directive: A good Compromise
LOWER ROAMING CHARGES ARE GOOD NEWS FOR SMESs, SAYS ESBA
Brussels, 23rd May 2007
On Wednesday 23rd May the European Parliament voted in plenary on the Commission’s controversial regulation to reduce roaming charges, the charges levied on consumers using their mobile phones abroad. The adopted version of the text will limit the fees for outgoing calls from abroad to € 0.49 and those for incoming calls to € 0.24. Fees will be progressively reduced over the next two years, with the cap set at € 0.46 for outgoing and € 0.22 for incoming calls in 2008. In 2009, charges will be restricted to € 0.43 and € 0.22 respectively. The Regulation will stipulate that service providers must reduce all roaming charges within three months of its entry into force.
The present version of the Regulation represents a compromise between the European Commission, Parliament and Member States. A large number of MEPs, in particular those from the left-wing PSE group, were hoping for more stringent requirements for operators. At the same time, certain Member States, including the UK, were opposed to limiting fees. Despite the compromise reached between the opposing views, the deal has been fiercely opposed by mobile phone operators.
ESBA welcomes the development, as cheap and accesible communications are vital for the EU’s economy. Small business users are often travel frequently with work and suffer significantly from the very high costs imposed by large network operators. These costs are particularly burdensome for SMEs with limited financial resources. Moreover, it is important that all uncompetitive behavior is restricted at every given opportunity.
The compromise text can be read here.
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Note to the editor:
The European Small Business Alliance is a non-party political European group, which cares for small business entrepreneurs and the self-employed and represents them through targeted EU advocacy activities. ESBA also works towards the development of strong independent advocacy and benefits groups in European countries. Today, ESBA is one of the largest organisations based on voluntary membership in Europe. Through its direct membership, associate membership and cooperation agreements, ESBA represents almost one million small businesses and covers 35 European countries For more information, please contact: secretariat@esba-europe.org
Page last updated: 24/05/2007 4:33:49 PM