A price cap on downloading data on your mobile phone means looking at maps, checking emails and sending pictures will cost you less if you're abroad.
Starting from today, the price of downloading data anywhere in Europe has been capped-under new EU rules, it'll be 36% cheaper, costing you 45 cents per megabyte to download data or browse the internet.
Making a call is 24 cents per minute to make a call, 7 cents per minute to receive a call and 8 cents to send a text message.
Communications minister
On June 27th, Communications minister Pat Rabbitte announced he had signed new regulations enabling ComReg to use all its investigative and enforcement powers to oblige mobile telephone service providers to implement retail price reductions required by the EU Roaming Regulations.
Data roaming will now be up to 91% cheaper in 2013 compared to 2007. During this period the volume of the data roaming market has grown 630%. The EU Regulation has introduced per megabyte price limits of €0.70 per megabyte from July 2012, which reduced to €0.45 on July 1st next and reduced further to €0.20 in July 2014.
Commenting on the moves to limit data charges and to avoid 'bill-shocks', for returning travelers the Minister said: "The introduction of a maximum retail charge for data, which will fall by more than 300% in 2 years, will ensure better value for customers." He continued: "The bill-shock provision, which requires service providers to suspend data services when the bill in any month reaches either €50 or pre-determined amount, will ensure an end to exterme bill-shocks for those returning from abroad."
The Minister added: "The best protection against nasty surprises still remains being well informed, and before travelling users should ensure to turn off any apps or services that could generate unexpected expenses. Remember also - if you are travelling beyond the EU the charges you will face are not controlled by these European laws and may be much higher."
