Europäisches Parlament beschließt niedrigere Gebühren für Gespräche und SMS innerhalb der EU

Vorhin haben wir noch berichtet, dass das Europäische Parlament heute noch über das neue Telekom-Paket abstimmen wird. Unter anderem beinhaltet das niedrigere Gebühren für Telefongespräche und SMS in das europäische Ausland. Solche Gespräche haben ja nichts mit dem bereits durchgesetzten EU-Roaming zu tun. Die Abstimmung hat nun ergeben, dass dies auch so kommt.

Ab Mai 2019 werden für Gespräche innerhalb der EU maximal 19 Cent pro Minute berechnet. Bei SMS sind es sogar nur 6 Cent, die zu zahlen sind – günstiger als manche Inlands-SMS heutzutage. Bis zum 15. Mai müssen die neuen Gebühren umgesetzt werden. Für die anderen beschlossenen Ziele dauert das alles ein bisschen länger, hier haben die einzelnen Länder bis zu zwei Jahre Zeit, entsprechende Gesetze anzupassen. Dabei geht es unter anderem um 5G.

Das komplette Statement von Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip und Commissioner for Digital Economy und Society Mariya Gabriel:

„Today’s vote by the European Parliament is a positive and necessary step towards ensuring that the telecoms sector in the EU is fit for purpose. The new telecoms rules that will now be put in place as a result, are an essential building block for Europe’s digital future and a source of new digital rights for European citizens. They are crucial for meeting Europeans‘ growing connectivity needs and boosting Europe’s competitiveness. In addition, they allow for the groundwork to be laid for the deployment of 5G across Europe.

With these rules, we will be able to ensure faster access to radio spectrum waves, a key resource for mobile communications, and boost investment in high-speed and high-quality networks in every corner of the EU, including in remote areas. Consumers will be better protected and enjoy better services, irrespective of whether they use traditional calls, SMS, or web-based services such as Skype and WhatsApp. They will have access to affordable communications services, including universally available internet, and services such as eGovernment, online banking and video calls. As of May 2019, people will be able to make calls to other EU countries for a maximum of 19 cents a minute and send SMS for 6 cents. Citizens will also be better protected in emergency situations via the 112 number, in particular by the transmission of public warnings on mobile phones.

The new telecoms rules are also a source of inspiration. Let us show the same level of ambition in updating the ePrivacy Directive. This is needed in order to modernise the rules of confidentially in the digital age, which urgently need to be aligned with the General Data Protection Regulation – the new world-class standard for data protection – and also to cover everyday tools such as instant messaging, voice over IP and web-based e-mail“.