ΝMEPs voted in favor of reducing the call rates within the European Union from 2019, setting up 5G networks and setting up a new emergency warning system at the current European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg.
With this resolution, the European Parliament is adopting a telecommunications package that covers the cost of intra-Community calls and enables the construction of extremely fast 5G networks by 2020, creating an emergency alert system.
The new rules will enable citizens to make high-speed connections, enable secure and affordable calls within the EU, while providing the necessary predictability for telecom operators to expand their investment in broadband.
More specifically, the policy of roaming at national prices, which put an end to roaming charges in 2017, is updated with the new institutional framework with a maximum of 19 cents per minute for calls and 6 cents per SMS from 15 May 2019, making it affordable for all to stay in touch with relatives residing in other EU Member States.
The new legal framework also better protects smartphone users, especially those using online services such as Skype or WhatsApp, by improving security requirements, including encryption. It also introduces the possibility for the user to keep a telephone number for up to one month after the end of the contract and the right to return prepaid units that have not been used at the end of the contract, as well as compensation in case of delay or abuse in case of change of provider.
In addition, in case of emergency or major disaster, interested citizens must be notified via SMS or mobile application. Member States will have 42 months to implement it once the directive enters into force.
Finally, Member States will facilitate the development of 5G by providing the appropriate spectrum by 2020 to achieve the goal set in the EU 5G Roadmap, namely a 5G network in at least one major city in each EU country. by 2020.
In order to achieve the required level of investment in 5G infrastructure and networks and to meet the expectations of the connection, the new legislation provides greater predictability for investment and encourages the sharing of risk and costs between telecommunications operators.
Following final approval by the Council, Member States will have two years to adapt their national legislation to implement the Directive, and, as mentioned above, the price ceilings will enter into force on 15 May 2019. .
With this resolution, the European Parliament reaffirmed the interim agreement reached last June with the Council of Ministers on the European Electronic Communications Code and the College of European Electronic Communications Regulators.
Source: AMPE
