Commission welcomes a twelve-month roaming extension for affordable calls to and from Ukraine

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The Commission welcomes the fifth prolongation for another twelve months of the voluntary agreement between 22 European and seven Ukrainian telecommunications operators to ensure that refugees from Ukraine can stay connected across borders.

The Commission, together with the NCEC, the Ukrainian national regulatory authority, facilitated the agreement. Affordable calls allow those seeking shelter in Europe to reach family and friends in Ukraine, and vice versa. This has been made possible by the signatories, who have committed to mutually lowering their rates to connect calls across borders.

The latest data provided by the Body of European regulators of electronic communications (BEREC) shows that the agreement has been efficient in allowing operators to provide affordable calls. Operators that are signatories of the Joint Statement generally benefit from mutually lower rates than those who have not signed, which in turns means that they can offer lower charges to their customers. BEREC also notes that both operators from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Ukraine (UA) are passing the benefits resulting from these low rates on to consumers. EEA operators continue to offer free SIM cards to refugees, free international calls to Ukraine, and monthly packages usable in the host country.

In addition to telecommunications services, EEA operators provide smartphones, power banks, and laptops to refugees or support charity organisations. Despite the decrease in incoming traffic, difficulties in maintaining the subscriber base, as well as the necessity to invest in network restoration on top of other negative consequences of Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, UA operators continue to offer free or greatly reduced roaming services focused on customers’ needs.

The Commission encourages all operators to join the agreement. An updated list of signatories can be found here.

Next Steps

In parallel, Ukraine has worked on fully aligning their legislation with that of the EU, in order to integrate into the EU Roaming area. The primary law was signed by President Zelensky, and it was published in the Official Journal of Ukraine on 19 June 2024, while secondary laws remain to be adopted. After Ukraine notifies its full alignment, which is expected in the coming months, the European Commission will assess the conformity of the national legislation. Subject to a positive assessment endorsed by Member States, as well as a final decision by the EU-Ukraine association committee, Ukraine will become part of the EU Roaming area, which will provide a more stable and long-term solution for roaming.

Background

Telecom operators based in the EU and in Ukraine first signed the joint statement on their coordinated efforts to secure and stabilise affordable or free roaming and international calls between the EU and Ukraine in April 2022.  In April 2023, the EU-Ukraine association committee adopted the Commission’s proposal for Ukraine to join the EU Roaming rules.

Quote(s)

Russia’s illegal war of aggression on Ukraine has had a devastating impact on people’s lives. We can only hope that staying connected via affordable phone calls has brought some solace. I really welcome the roaming extension and would like to express my gratitude once again to all telecoms operators who joined forces to continue making this happen.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age

We are making continuous efforts to facilitate affordable mobile connectivity for people who have fled the war and encourage other telecoms operators to join. This fifth prolongation of the agreement, facilitated by the Commission, is another example of European solidarity and demonstration of a swift and efficient collaboration in times of utmost need. We look forward to welcoming Ukraine to the EU Roaming area in due course.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market