Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 12 October 2021 (HL2827), (1) when was the last occasion that they met with mobile network operators to discuss roaming charges, and (2) what steps, through legislation or otherwise, they are taking to prevent the reintroduction of roaming charges.

Ministers and officials have had recent discussions with senior representatives of mobile operators on a range of issues, including on the issue of mobile roaming. The last Ministerial-level meeting with mobile operators was in September 2021.

During negotiations for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, the UK proposed the continuation of reciprocal agreements between the UK and EU to enable surcharge-free roaming. The EU did not agree. The decision on whether to impose a surcharge on consumers travelling abroad to the EU for their mobile phone usage is one for operators. We advise that consumers check with their operators before travelling.