Latin American Networks to Clarify Roaming Costs

Published on: 10th Sep 2012

­The GSMA has announced that more than 40 Latin American mobile network operators (MNOs) have launched a data roaming transparency scheme in the region that will provide consumers with greater visibility of their roaming charges and usage of mobile data services when travelling within the region and abroad.

The initiative is supported by operator groups including America Movil, Antel, Entel Chile, Millicom, Oi, Orange, Telecom Italia and Telefonica, all of whom agreed to undertake a number of measures in the countries in which they operate. The MNOs participating in this initiative account for more than half a billion mobile subscribers across the region.

"The Latin America region is unique in that we are at different stages of economic development, so it is important that we help consumers to better understand any costs that they may face and provide a consistent experience for consumers, wherever they travel," said Javier Delgado, Chair of the GSMA Chief Regulatory Officers' Group of Latin America.

"This is an important initiative and the second recently undertaken by MNOs in the region, following on from a commitment to combat mobile phone theft earlier this year," said Sebastian Cabello, Director of GSMA Latin America. "MNOs are acting proactively in order to address customers' needs to both ensure increased transparency of services and maintain the security of consumers' information and data."

The mobile networks have agreed to the following measures:

• Sending text messages to remind customers of their data roaming tariffs when they arrive in another country and turn on their mobile device;
• Implementing a monthly data roaming spending limit to help consumers manage their roaming bill and sending alerts when their data usage approaches the limit; and
• Temporarily suspending data service when usage exceeds the spending limit.

Implementation is due by the end of the first half of 2013.

 

Tags: [gsma]