In 2011, a reduction was made to the wholesale and retail prices associated with the international roaming service, as determined by Regulation (EC) no. 544/2009 of the Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009, which amends Regulation (EC) No 717/2007.
In this context, on 1 July 2011, reductions were made to the tariff caps established in the context of intra-EU/EEA1 roaming voice communications, with the caps differing depending on whether applicable to the Eurotariff (retail level) or at wholesale level.
Therefore, the maximum value of the Eurotariff (Eurotariff Voice) payable by customers in the EU/EEA (excluding VAT) for mobile voice communications made using intra-EU/EEA roaming fell from 0.39 euros/minute (calls made) and 0.15 euros/minute (calls received) to 0.35 euros and 0.11 euros per minute respectively. As seen in the previous year, the Eurotariff continued to be billed per second, in the case of calls made, with application of an initial billing period not exceeding 30 seconds. Meanwhile, the maximum average wholesale price applied by each operator was reduced from 0.22 euros to 0.18 euros.
The caps set in 2009 for the retail prices of SMS messages originating and terminating in the EU (Euro-SMS tariff) and for the average wholesale price (0.11 euros and 0.04 euros respectively – excluding VAT) were maintained.
In addition, the average wholesale tariff for data communication services with packet switching used in roaming intra-EU/EEA was reduced from 0.80 euros to 0.50 euros per megabyte downloaded, with no tariff cap applicable at retail level.
It is noted that mobile operators in Portugal have been in compliance with the maximum values stipulated in the Regulations, and in some segments, have also made additional tariffs available to customers beyond those corresponding to these maximum prices.
Under the terms of the Regulation, ICP-ANACOM has conducted various activities related to its implementation in the national territory, including, in particular, cooperation with other NRA in the context of BEREC's International Roaming Project Team in various related activities, including the preparation of questionnaires, compilation and processing of information relating to national operators, and analysis of issues related to the interpretation of the Regulation.
On 6 July 2011, the EC adopted a proposal to rework the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile communications networks in the EU (doc. 12639/11). The proposal presented by the EC sets out structural measures, which, according to the EC, are aimed at achieving a long-term solution to address the lack of competition and introduce consumer choice. As such, the EC is seeking to ensure that the market is opened up to different types of suppliers (thereby increasing the range of roaming offers) and also to better inform consumers about the prices of roaming and broaden their choices, also allowing them to subscribe to the roaming service as a stand-alone service. ICP-ANACOM has also been monitoring this issue, and in 2011 produced comments on the proposal presented by the EC at a national level and also through its participation in BEREC's International Roaming Project Team.
1 EU member countries and also Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein (European Economic Area EEA).
