Authors: J. Scott Marcus, Dr Pieter Nooren, Imme Philbeck
WIK together with Dr. Pieter Nooren of TNO was asked by the IMCO (consumer affairs) Committee of the European Parliament in May 2012 to put together a Long Briefing Note which studies how the evolution of wireless Internet data (especially LTE and WiFi off-load) is changing the ways in which consumers use the Internet, and whether any impediments (notably including mobile data roaming) might hinder that natural evolution. The Long Briefing Note was published on 29 August 2012.
The briefing note considers whether the high price of mobile data roaming inhibits the use of mobile applications; the degree to which the 2012 Roaming Regulation addresses these concerns; and what further measures if any should be taken.
The key findings and recommendations include (1) to ensure proper implementation of the Roaming Regulation of 2012; (2) to maintain contact with market players so as to minimise any policy impediments to innovative offers that might effectively give force to the Local Break-Out (LBO) solution; (3) to be alert to any opportunities for a disruptive player to establish a pan-European presence, and if so weigh carefully the balance between competition issues and regulatory policy issues; and (4) to monitor the on-going evolution of mobile data services over time to see if any blockages develop (or remain).
The Long Briefing Note as well as a presentation of J. Scott Marcus are available for download.
