Since 15th June 2017, customers are charged the domestic retail price for using their mobile phone when travelling – this is referred to as Roam Like At Home (RLAH).
Now that the UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit has come to an end, Irish consumers are not entitled under EU law to the EU RLAH rates when travelling to the UK. Notwithstanding this, ComReg understands that in many cases there will be no immediate changes for consumers. It is advisable to contact your provider to check (confirm) the up-to-date prices that may apply and what mobile allowances apply when travelling in the UK.
Irrespective of the commercial approach taken by Irish mobile operators in 2021, mobile customers will continue to have legal protections around roaming, such as:
• being informed of any roaming charges they could incur if and when they use mobile devices outside of the EU (including in the UK post-Brexit);
• being alerted when charges are incurred or the data roaming cap (€61.50 including VAT) is reached;
• being informed about how to avoid inadvertent roaming;
• being notified if their contractual terms are changed.
ComReg, the independent telecoms regulator, will monitor compliance to ensure that operators abide by these obligations.
To assist consumers, ComReg has a detailed information page on mobile roaming www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/roaming/ which will continue to be updated with related developments.
