The "roam like at home" scheme is
one of the more popular pieces of legislation for EU citizens and residents,
allowing them to make calls and texts and use data in other EU countries at the
same price as that charged in their domestic plans.
The European Council representing the EU's
member states said it gave final approval to extend the scheme beyond when the
current regulation expires at the end of June.
It will now continue until 2032.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)
noted in a statement that the renewed policy requires telecom operators to
strive to give roaming at the same quality, meaning EU visitors not being
shunted to lower speed 3G or 4G networks when higher speed ones are available.
BEUC's deputy director general Ursula Pachl
called the extended policy "one of the EU's greatest success stories for
consumers" and one of the "tangible benefits" of its single
market.
Many consumers in Britain, which left the
European Union two years ago, are seeing roaming charges return.
At least three big British telecom
operators decided to bring back added roaming fees, which average an extra two
pounds (EUR 2.4 (roughly Rs. 200)) per day for those visiting the EU.