15th November 2018

EP: MEPs cap prices of calls within EU and approve emergency alert system

MEPs have approved the telecoms package that caps intra-EU calls, makes super-fast 5G networks possible by 2020 and creates alert system for emergencies.

The European Parliament confirmed the provisional agreement reached with the Council of Ministers in June on the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). 

The Roam Like at Home policy put an end to roaming fees in 2017. The new legislation caps calls to another EU country at 19 cents and at 6 cents for text messages (SMS) from 15 May 2019.

Also, member states will have to facilitate the rollout of 5G, by making suitable spectrum available by 2020, in order to reach the objective of the "EU 5G Roadmap" of having a 5G network in at least one major city in each EU country by 2020.

If there is a major emergency or disaster, affected citizens must be alerted by SMS or mobile apps. Member states will have 42 months to put the system in place after the directive comes into effect.

 

>> Read full press release.

 

 

Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic