Kergo freight Jonathan Kerr would welcome the end of roaming charges
THE ABOLITION of roaming charges could have a major impact on both the people, and businesses, of Fermanagh.
The European Commission has announced plans to abolish the charges next year, charges on mobile phones that come into place when travelling across European countries using a UK-based network provider on a mobile phone.
They also come into affect when Northern network mobiles pass the border into the South.
And, for Fermanagh, which borders Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal and Leitrim – the issue is particularly pertinent.
The vice-president of the European Commission, with responsibility for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, announced that 27 European Commissioners recently voted to fast track major reforms of telecoms regulations, which aim to merge all 27 EU countries in a single telecom market.
A target of summer 2014 was muted, for the issue that MLA Phil Flanagan, described as ‘a bone of contention for many people’.
Included in that group of dissatisfied people is Jonathan Kerr, of ‘Kergo’.
His freight company operates both North and South of the border.
“Our current phone provider bills us a ‘roaming’ charge whenever we make/receive calls close to the border. We find this unacceptable and do not see how it costs more to make a call in for example Belleek than if we were in Belfast after all we do live in a common market,” explained Jonathan.
He added: “These ‘roaming’ charges can quickly mount-up especially when we are in the same border towns and villages every day and considering that many homes do not actually displaying a house number on the door or driveway so you have no choice but to phone for directions.
Jonathan said that he does believe it will happen and ‘to be honest, the sooner the better’.
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