As of 1st October this year, thanks to the inception of the ‘Roam like at home’ agreement, mobile phone users in the Western Balkans will experience reduced data roaming charges when in European Union nations.
In December of the previous year, 38 telecom operators from the EU and the Western Balkans inked this accord which has now taken effect. This heralds lowered data roaming prices, making data transfer between the Western Balkans and the EU more affordable for both individuals and businesses in these regions.
The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the European Commission have both backed this endeavour.
The operators have voluntarily committed to narrowing the gap between data roaming and domestic rates when travelling between the EU and the Western Balkans in both directions.
At present, the initial reduced rates are being implemented by telecom operators participating in the agreement, with many of them offering packages at prices substantially below the agreed maximum thresholds, making them accessible to a broad range of consumers.
Further rate reductions are on the cards for 2026, adhering to the stipulated timeline, with an aim to align data roaming charges ever closer to domestic rates by 2028.