EE launch 'free' EU mobile phone roaming

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Launched on June 15th - in time for the introduction of EU legislation that forces operators to make European roaming free, EE's new policy will enable their customers to use their allowances as normal in 47 "European destinations", including Switzerland, Norway and other nations not in the EU.

Added to this, EE will also be launching a number of 4GEE Max plans on May 10th, enabling subscribers to use their allowances as normal in the US and other world destinations, as well as those covered by EU roaming laws.

However, while EE state that the inclusive roaming they've introduced for all customers comes "at no extra cost", it should be noted that it comes after a hike in bills was introduced on April 30th, and that analysts have long predicted that free European roaming will cause operators to push up their domestic prices.

Destinations

That said, April's hike was only 2.5%, which was kept in line with the rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index. Plus, it affected only EE's pay monthly, SIM-only and mobile broadband customers, and not their pay as you go customers.

And the latter also get to benefit from free European roaming once EE introduce it on June 15th, without having to pay extra (for now, anyway).

Once it's introduced, customers will be able to "roam like at home" in the following countries and territories:

• EU: Austria, Azores ,Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar (UK), Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Islands, Romania, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin (French), San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and Vatican City.

• Additional destinations: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey.

Given such an extensive list of European countries and areas, this makes the plan - as well as the new EU legislation itself - ideal for keen travellers and holidayers.

As EE CEO Marc Allera said, "We go further to provide our customers with 4G in more places across the UK than any other operator, and we're offering inclusive roaming in more destinations as well".

Of course, it's still not certain as to whether free roaming will cause domestic prices to rise in compensation. And neither is it certain as to what will happen to free EU roaming once the UK leaves the European union, especially since recent signs in Westminster have pointed to a hard Brexit.

Live streaming alligators

One thing that is certain, however, is that because the EU have legislated for free roaming from June 15th, the likes of Vodafone, O2 and Three will also be making European calls inclusive for all their customers.

Some have in fact already begun offering 'free' roaming with certain packages, with Three for example launching their Feel at Home service as early as 2013.

And since they've already been gradually rolling out inclusive roaming for a while now, it seems that EE have felt the need to distinguish themselves using more than just European roaming.

This is why they've also announced the launch of their new 4GEE Max package, which from Wednesday May 10th will enable customers to use their usual data allowance in not only the 47 European destinations above, but also the following international countries:

• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• Australia
• New Zealand

As an example, EE state that with such a plan, subscribers can get "the latest Samsung Galaxy S8 flagship handset for just £9.99 on a £62.99 per month, 24 month plan which offers unlimited calls, unlimited text and a whopping 25GB of data".

And they've also announced that they're launching a new range of other 4GEE plans that don't provide more than free European roaming, just in case customers don't need to live stream an alligator while on holiday in Florida.