Slovenian MEPs have welcomed the new EU directive aimed at bringing down mobile phone roaming charges, which was adopted by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Major Slovenian mobile operators meanwhile say the directive is strict, but they intend to respect it as it agrees with their business policy.
Slovenian MEP Romana Jordan Cizelj (EPP/SDS) pointed out that Slovenians were still making the majority of their roaming calls from the countries of the Balkans, where the directive will not be in force.
Alojz Peterle (EPP/NSi) supported the directive, saying that it opened up space for innovation based on new technologies, and solutions that bring lower prices to the market and added value to the final customer.
Borut Pahor (PES/SD) meanwhile said that certain telecommunication companies would not be satisfied with the legislative solution. It is a decision which favours the customer, said Pahor.
The Agency for Post and Electronic Communications (APEK) welcomed the directive, saying that it would undoubtedly benefit Slovenian and all European users of mobile phone services.
According to the APEK, the directive is a direct regulation of electronic communication services on the EU level, which means domestic mobile operators will now have to respect it completely and directly.
The biggest Slovenian mobile operator Mobitel assessed the directive as strict, but said it would respect it. Lower prices are also in line with the company's guideline to provide its users with the best service possible, the company told STA.
As Slovenia is a bordering EU country, it means that Slovenians make the majority of their roaming calls outside of the EU. Mobitel will advocate lower prices in those countries as they are frequently visited by Slovenian citizens, the company said.
Simobil, Slovenia's second-largest mobile operator, meanwhile said that its prices for roaming service were to come close to the prices of calls within the national network, which it says are the lowest prices on the Slovenian market.
According to the company, the majority of revenues from roaming service are generated from calls made by foreign citizens visiting Slovenia. The directive will considerably cut revenues in that segment, Simobil said.
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