Affordable Data Roaming: Bridging the Gap Between the EU and the Western Balkans
With the support of the EU and RCC telecom operators provide affordable data roaming fees between the Western Balkans and the EU.
15/12/2023
In December 2022, 38 telecommunication operators from the EU and the Western Balkans agreed to lower data roaming prices. This agreement has now come into effect as of October 1, 2023, which means that data roaming between the Western Balkans and the EU has become more affordable for both citizens and businesses in these regions. These operators voluntarily committed to reducing the gap between data roaming and domestic fees when traveling between the EU and the Western Balkans in both directions. The initial reductions in prices are currently being implemented by the participating telecom operators. Many of them are offering packages with prices well below the agreed maximum limits, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers. Further reductions are planned for 2026, following the agreed glide path, with the goal of making data roaming prices close to domestic prices by 2028.
Virtyt Gacaferri, is a Kosovo businessman who regularly travels to EU countries. Mr. Gacaferri holds a significant share and serves as the managing partner in one of Kosovo’s most successful tour operator companies, known as Balkan Natural Adventure. Each year, his company welcomes hundreds of visitors from all corners of the globe, including EU nations, to explore Kosovo’s attractions. Furthermore, he also serves as The President of the board of the Kosovos first fintech company a franchise of the Lithuanian-based company Paysera. Due to the nature of his profession, Mr. Gacaferri frequently journeys to EU countries to participate in tourism exhibitions and collaborate with his EU-based partners. Virtyt highly appreciates the lowering of the data roaming agreement. ”As a frequent business traveller, this will have an important positive impact on our travel and business cost in general,” says Virtyt.
“Subsequent to the implementation of the regional RLAH, Commissioner Várhelyi convened an inaugural meeting of EU and Western Balkan telecom operators. This meeting injected momentum into the process, underscoring the political support and significance of the forthcoming steps.”
Adrienn Király DG NEARAdrienn Király from the DG NEAR, sheds light on the genesis of this endeavour. It took root following the successful enactment of a regional Roam Like at Home agreement among the six Western Balkan economies, beginning on July 1, 2021. This achievement served as a crucial precursor to deliberations regarding the reduction of roaming charges connecting the Western Balkans and the EU. She asserts, “Subsequent to the implementation of the regional RLAH, Commissioner Várhelyi convened an inaugural meeting of EU and Western Balkan telecom operators. This meeting injected momentum into the process, underscoring the political support and significance of the forthcoming steps.”
In 2018, it was determined that extending Roam Like at Home to the Western Balkans was not legally feasible. Consequently, the reduction of roaming charges between the Western Balkans and the EU had to rely on Commercial Voluntary Agreements, taking into account the operators’ business models, commercial interests, and compliance with relevant competition and trade regulations. The negotiation process was overseen by the Regional Cooperation Council in collaboration with the European Commission and DG NEAR, with advisory input from DG CNECT. Multiple negotiation rounds took place between EU and Western Balkan operators before the final voluntary roaming declaration was agreed upon and signed on December 6, 2022, during the EU-Western Balkan Summit.
Following the signing of the declaration, negotiations resumed to establish the precise price caps for reducing retail roaming charges for data roaming services. By May 1, 2023, a total of 36 operators, including prominent EU groups like DT, Orange, A1, United Group, and 4IG, as well as Western Balkan operators, had signed the final agreement. The agreed glide path is as follows: Starting from October 1, 2023, the retail data price cap will be 18 EUR/GB, followed by 14 EUR/GB from January 1, 2026, and 9 EUR/GB from January 1, 2028.
” This process enhances predictability and, most importantly, helps prevent customers from experiencing bill shocks.”
Sara Meić, DG NEARSara Meić from DG NEAR highlights the significance of the declaration as an initiative that enhances predictability and helps prevent customers from experiencing bill shocks. It also demonstrates goodwill from the market. In the upcoming phases, the European Commission aims to expand this initiative to include telecom operators that are not currently part of the process. Additionally, they will endeavor to further reduce the price caps through the annual review process. Sara states, “In the follow-up steps, we would also like to address the issue of wholesale roaming charges, which would have a positive effect on subsequently lowering retail roaming charges.”
About the project
38 telecommunication operators from the EU and the Western Balkans have agreed to make data roaming between the Western Balkans and the EU more affordable for citizens and businesses in both regions, in a process supported by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the European Commission. This agreement aligns with the Roaming Declaration signed at the December EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana.
Through their voluntary agreement, the operators committed to significantly reducing the gap between roaming and domestic fees for data usage in both directions between the EU and the Western Balkans. Maximum retail price levels (‘price caps’) for 1 gigabyte will decrease from October 2023 to 2028 as follows: €18 from 1 October 2023, €14 from 2026, and €9 from 2028. Yearly reviews are foreseen to assess impacts and next steps.
Photo credits: Virtyt Gacaferi, EU