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In contrast to the National Council, the Council of States rejected a fixed price ceiling for roaming rates on Tuesday. The majority argued that Switzerland should coordinate internationally.
The Committee for Transport and Telecommunications of the Council of States had asked its Council, without voting against, to reject a corresponding motion by national councilor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (Centrum/BL). The small room followed her in silence. The company is now over.
The Grand Chamber approved the proposal in May with 116 votes in favor, 68 votes in favor and 4 abstentions. He demanded that the Federal Council introduce an upper limit on roaming charges. The committee of the Council of States agreed with the Federal Council that, according to the current Telecommunications Act, price ceilings can be set on the basis of international agreements. However, a unilateral decision by the Federal Council is not possible because there is no legal basis for it.
Attempts have failed several times
Similar requests to abolish excessive roaming charges have failed several times in parliament. Communications Minister Albert Rösti told the National Council this spring that the Federal Council could not simply set a unilateral upper limit by regulation. This is confirmed by an expert report. Moreover, without an international agreement, foreign providers would not have to comply with Swiss rules anyway.
The Consumer Protection Foundation repeatedly warns about high roaming costs. According to a new regulation, new customers of telecom providers have been required to set their own data roaming limits since the summer of 2021. However, customers were still at risk of returning from the holidays with high bills.
It is different in the EU: customers there benefit from the abolition of roaming charges. Negotiators from EU countries and the European Parliament agreed at the end of 2021 to extend the people’s rules until the summer of 2032. This means that people can continue to call, use the internet or text on their mobile phone on the go, at the same costs as at home. (SDA)
Source:Blick
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