EU reform on telecom market gives more rights to consumers

The EU proposed telecom reform plan gives more rights to consumers

Newsroom 16/09/2013 | 05:43

The European Commission adopted a reform plan for the telecom sector which eliminates some costs for the consumer, and give them more leeway to properly select the provider of the telecom services.

Starting July 1, 2014, tariffs for received calls in roaming should disappear, according to the reform plan. Telecom operators can choose between offering service packages that are valid anywhere in the European Union or allow clients to opt for a provider who offers cheaper roaming tariffs.

Tariffs for international calls made in the European Union will also be eliminated. Tariffs for calls made in a mobile network in the EU will not surpass 0.19 euro cents/minute (VAT not included).

This bill also guarantees the neutrality of the internet and the users will have full and open access to the internet irresoective of the price of the internet packages and the speed guaranteed in the contract.

Consumers will also have more rights in their contractual relation with the telecom providers. Contracts must be written in more simple terms, the right to make a 12-month contract, the right to opt out of the contract if the provider does not supply the advertised internet speeds and the right to benefit from redirecting e-mails to a new address after they choose a different internet provider.