Roam like at home still applicable in the UK at least until 12 April 2019

29 March 2019

29.03.2019

Romanians will continue to benefit from roaming at national rates in the UK and Gibraltar at least until12 April 2019. Ongoing Brexit negotiations include setting the roaming rules after that date. ANCOM will keep the users informed on these rules.

Scope of the ”Roam like at home" Regulation

Starting from 15 June 2017, providers must apply the EU Regulation ”Roam like at home” to all the EU/EEA roaming-enabled tariff plans. Thus, customers of mobile operators in Romania can use the domestic resources provided in their tariff plan (voice, SMS and data) across the EU Member States, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. ”Roam like at home” also applies in certain outermost European territories, namely French Guyana, the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, Saint-Martin (only the part of the island belonging to France), the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, in the Åland Islands, and – at least until 12 April 2019 – in Gibraltar.

"Roam like at home" in the UK over the next period

The "Roam like at home" Regulation applies in the UK and Gibraltar at least until 12 April 2019. The Brexit negotiations are ongoing and they will clarify the roaming rules after this date, several scenarios being currently under consideration. If the UK leaves the European Union without an agreement, the EU Regulation ”Roam like at home” will cease to apply in the UK and Gibraltar. Users from Romania who intend to travel to the UK or to Gibraltar are advised to seek information from their own providers or from the ANCOM website on the applicability of ”Roam like at home” in the case of these destinations.

Background info

Currently, a provider may set certain EU/EEA roaming conditions (Fair Use Policy) to prevent abusive or abnormal use of this service for purposes other than for occasional travels outside Romania, for example in order to prevent permanent roaming in the EU/EEA. The Fair Use Policy defined by the providers must comply with certain limits set by the regulations adopted at the level of the European Union. Once the domestic resources included in your tariff plan have been consumed, the rates available while in the country shall apply, i.e. the off-net rates for minutes/SMS, respectively for data (MB/GB) consumption, applicable at national level. ANCOM makes available, on its website, a widget by means of which one can calculate the amount of data he/she can consume at no additional cost while roaming on the territory of the EU/EEA, considering a FUP limit.

Mobile operators may also offer tariff plans (subscriptions or prepaid cards) enabling no access to roaming services. These tariff plans are designed for those who prefer benefiting from more domestic resources at advantageous prices over using telephone or mobile data services abroad. Prior to choosing an offer, those who intend to travel abroad must check whether the desired add-on or new subscription is roaming-enabled.