Vodafone Malta removes roaming charges on mobile services

Vodafone Malta has removed roaming charges on their services, through new contract plans, earlier today.

In 2015, the European Commission announced that roaming charges on mobile telephony services would be phased out by June 2017, putting Vodafone Malta well ahead of schedule.

Vodafone Malta CEO Amanda Nelson announced the introduction of new post-paid plans that would allow users travelling through Europe with free incoming and outgoing calls and SMS to Maltese numbers and a roaming data allowance.

The plans will also offer the same rates for out-of-bundle calls and text messages to European numbers, whether the recipient is based in Malta or in the rest of the EU.  

Nelson said that with the Maltese traveling more often, the new plans would meet a growing need for Maltese users.

The new RED plans are between €2 and €5 more expensive than the old plans, however they also include increased allowances aside from the removal of roaming restrictions. 

PN MEP David Casa welcomed news of the removal of roaming charges. “Roaming charges have represented an unnecessary barrier within the internal marker to the detriment of the consumer. It is admirable that a Maltese company has taken steps ahead of European legislation that requires the abolition of these charges by 2017.”

Casa maintained that the removal of roaming charges constituted an important step in the EU’s Digital Agenda. “Roaming charges are also connected to the on-going debate on net neutrality. The internet must be open, fast and equal. It is these principles that have enabled the internet to be a central platform for free speech, innovation and entrepreneurship. This must be protected and enhanced.”