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14/11/2011
Roaming Charges In Ireland 'Need Rationalised'
Sinn Féin MLA Phil Flanagan has called for the mobile roaming charges to be "rationalised" across Ireland North and South.
Speaking ahead of a motion tomorrow to change the roaming charges while travelling between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and Phil Flanagan said: “While I welcome the work done across Europe to lower the roaming charges, we still have a disparity across the border region of Ireland where businesses are being disadvantaged due to expensive data and phone roaming charges.
“It is important that we create a level playing field in attracting new businesses and the creation of the all Ireland tariff would help attract high tech industries to the North.
Mr Flanagan said that according to the most recent Ofcom report in 2007, inadvertent mobile roaming alone was costing people in border areas as much as £11m per year.
"This was at a time before the proliferation of smart phones and a massive surge in the amount of data being used on mobile phones, so it is anticipated that the total amount lost to the local economy is far higher than previous estimates.
“I am particularly concerned at the cost of roaming data charges being applied across the border as these tend to be very expensive for businesses trading in border areas.
The Sinn Fein MLA added that while the price of telephone charges had dropped considerably over the years, data charges have remained high.
"With the onset of e-commerce it is critical that companies along the border areas are given the opportunity to compete on an even basis.”
(DW/GK)
Speaking ahead of a motion tomorrow to change the roaming charges while travelling between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and Phil Flanagan said: “While I welcome the work done across Europe to lower the roaming charges, we still have a disparity across the border region of Ireland where businesses are being disadvantaged due to expensive data and phone roaming charges.
“It is important that we create a level playing field in attracting new businesses and the creation of the all Ireland tariff would help attract high tech industries to the North.
Mr Flanagan said that according to the most recent Ofcom report in 2007, inadvertent mobile roaming alone was costing people in border areas as much as £11m per year.
"This was at a time before the proliferation of smart phones and a massive surge in the amount of data being used on mobile phones, so it is anticipated that the total amount lost to the local economy is far higher than previous estimates.
“I am particularly concerned at the cost of roaming data charges being applied across the border as these tend to be very expensive for businesses trading in border areas.
The Sinn Fein MLA added that while the price of telephone charges had dropped considerably over the years, data charges have remained high.
"With the onset of e-commerce it is critical that companies along the border areas are given the opportunity to compete on an even basis.”
(DW/GK)
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19 March 2014
Sinn Féin Welcome EU Move To Scrap Roaming Charges
An Eu committee has voted in favour of scrapping all mobile phone roaming charges within the European Union, in a move welcomed by Sinn Féin MEP candidate for the Midlands Northwest constituency, Matt Carthy. Cllr Carthy said: "I welcome the vote taken by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE).
Sinn Féin Welcome EU Move To Scrap Roaming Charges
An Eu committee has voted in favour of scrapping all mobile phone roaming charges within the European Union, in a move welcomed by Sinn Féin MEP candidate for the Midlands Northwest constituency, Matt Carthy. Cllr Carthy said: "I welcome the vote taken by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE).
28 November 2008
Roaming Mobile Phone Bill To Fall, Says Ryan
The European Union may have reached a deal that will cut exorbitant mobile phone 'roaming charges' - which have also often plagued those living or working close to either side of the Irish border.
Roaming Mobile Phone Bill To Fall, Says Ryan
The European Union may have reached a deal that will cut exorbitant mobile phone 'roaming charges' - which have also often plagued those living or working close to either side of the Irish border.
30 June 2015
Roaming Charges Across The EU To Be Abolished
Roaming charges are to be abolished across the EU by June 2017. The decision comes following an agreement reached between the Commission, the Council and the Parliament. Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes said this is good news for EU citizens. Mr Hayes said: "From April 2016, a phrasing out of roaming charges will commence.
Roaming Charges Across The EU To Be Abolished
Roaming charges are to be abolished across the EU by June 2017. The decision comes following an agreement reached between the Commission, the Council and the Parliament. Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes said this is good news for EU citizens. Mr Hayes said: "From April 2016, a phrasing out of roaming charges will commence.
07 September 2016
FF Calls For All Roaming Charges To End
Fianna Fáil is once again calling for an end to all roaming charges. The party hit out at the European Commission after it proposed to insert a 'fair usage' clause. Communications Spokesperson, Timmy Dooley TD said the Commission has ignored the express will of the European Parliament which called for the end of all roaming charges.
FF Calls For All Roaming Charges To End
Fianna Fáil is once again calling for an end to all roaming charges. The party hit out at the European Commission after it proposed to insert a 'fair usage' clause. Communications Spokesperson, Timmy Dooley TD said the Commission has ignored the express will of the European Parliament which called for the end of all roaming charges.
26 April 2017
Mobile Operators Criticised For Price Hikes
Some mobile operators have been criticised for increasing the costs of their monthly plans following the scrapping of EU roaming charges. Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth said that some mobile operators were "attempting to gouge customers and rob them of savings which would come about as a result of the scrapping of roaming charges".
Mobile Operators Criticised For Price Hikes
Some mobile operators have been criticised for increasing the costs of their monthly plans following the scrapping of EU roaming charges. Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth said that some mobile operators were "attempting to gouge customers and rob them of savings which would come about as a result of the scrapping of roaming charges".
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