If roaming fees are eliminated, experts fear a significant increase in fees.
In October 2015, the EU Parliament in Brussels cleared the way for the abolition of roaming charges. Since June 2017, mobile phone providers within the EU are no longer allowed to charge surcharges for phone calls, SMS or data packages outside their customers' home network.
A commission of experts from the federal government and the Bundestag therefore fears that the elimination of roaming fees will not only have positive effects. The Monopolies Commission, made up of five scientists and business representatives, is now tasked with providing independent advice to the federal government and members of parliament on specialist questions relating to competition law and regulation. The regulation of fees for connections abroad to protect consumers from excessive prices is generally welcome. However, the commission said it was critical of their abolition.
The Commission particularly warned against price increases by telephony providers for domestic calls. If the fees were reduced to zero, the telephony providers would no longer be able to cover the costs incurred by roaming. Therefore, undesirable effects on domestic prices are expected.
EU plans for net neutrality are viewed positively
The Commission supports the EU's plans for network neutrality. This would create long-term incentives for telecommunications companies to expand infrastructure.
The EU Parliament, EU Commission and EU Council had agreed on a new regulation. Accordingly, the principle of equal treatment of all data streams on the Internet should in principle be retained. At the same time, it should be possible to allow exceptions for “special services” in the future. The aim is to give network operators the opportunity to set up “fast lanes” for certain services. These allow particularly fast or stable connections for an additional charge.
The Monopolies Commission pointed out the following problem: Under the current competitive conditions, more investments must be secured in ever more powerful data networks. However, with a view to the changing value creation in the telecommunications markets, the following question arises: “Will the traditional telecommunications companies still have sufficient incentives in the future that will allow them to invest in the expansion of infrastructure.”
In the varioSuite mobile phone providers can flexibly create and price products and tariffs.