[Mark C]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

But the networks should never EVER have been allowed to charge what they did from the outset, and then get used to it, or even come to rely on it. Interestingly, when GSM roaming started around 1991, users weren't charged rip off rates and generally paid the standard tariff for that country. Data was charged the normal call charges when it was based on dial-up, before GPRS existed.

I can remember roaming in European countries in the 1990s, and you're quite right,
charges weren't that much more than national call rates at home. 'In country' calls
were significantly cheaper too. I can recall in Italy in 1998, I made calls to other Italian
numbers for something like 8-10 p/min, calls back to the UK were 50-60 ish p/min I seem to recall ?

I also recall the same year sending texts on Jersey Telecom, back to the UK were free.
I've got a feeling texts on Cellnet were free to start with too, (though you couldn't go cross network with them)

[jonmorris]

The only confusion in the early 1990s was that depending on the foreign network you roamed on, you might pay different rates. However, you'd pay their standard tariff rate - so still be a lot better off than now.

It did mean you had to sometimes be careful about what network you roamed onto (switching from automatic to manual if necessary, or actually programming your preferred lists - who does that now? Who actually CAN do that now on most modern devices?!) but I think looking back we should have been wiser to the 'simplification' boll**ks that the networks used to start the gradual, and then quite rapid, price hikes.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

actually programming your preferred lists - who does that now? Who actually CAN do that now on most modern devices?!

I only remember one phone that had the facililty to edit these lists, which I assume are in the SIM. The phone was the tri-band Motorola L7089 Time Port that you had to switch from dual band 900/1800 to 1900 for the USA manually.

[duffman25]

bit rubbish this is but luckily 3 are investing in so can use your phone like normal in eu

[Mark C]

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffman25

bit rubbish this is but luckily 3 are investing in so can use your phone like normal in eu

In some EU countries, yes, but not all, and I suspect the scheme was just a 'run in' for Dec 2015, I think it'll get quietly dropped in the near future, but as they say, make hay while the sun shines

[jonmorris]

3LikeHome didn't last so unless other networks see a benefit in doing similar, I agree that we might see a slowdown in the roll out.

Not that it's been that fast as it is.

[ihatemarmite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaul

From what has happened, you'd have to assume none of them hold any shares in mobile networks.

The Eurocrats (the Commission) proposed and drafted the legislation but they don't have the power to make any laws. The draft was approved by MEPs but that still doesn't make it law unless it's approved by the Council of the EU who rejected it. The Council is not some fixed body but are really just the relevant ministers from each member state.

So, in essence the Eurocrats and MEPs tried to get the legislation through but it has been blocked by the national governments of the member states. Of course a number of the national governments do indeed hold shares in the phone networks e.g Orange in France and DT in Germany.

Yes.
Lobbying by powerful telecoms at national level has nuked an overall progressive idea from the EU. This isn't the EU's fault. They have already helped the situation re rip off roaming prices.
I don't know about other EU countries other than France, where I lived. Their govt is way too close to Orange (who are useless and expensive) and even getting a local SIM is really expensive. French customers routinely pay a lot monthly for what we'd consider terrible deals.
I have a french SIM which I keep only to allow friends in France to call me. It's cheaper for me to call them using my Tesco SIM. My french SIM starts at 39c a minute (and that's cheaper than Orange, who AFAIK still have that 'expiring credit' rip off on PAYG: mine doesn't expire).

I'm disappointed that the EU couldn't push though the no roaming charges deal though.

[Redcoat]

The NI MEPs seem to be a bit annoyed by this...

Quote:

Northern Ireland's three MEPs say they will challenge the decision made by European governments. "This is entirely unacceptable and goes against the democratic decisions of the European institutions" said Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson.
"The European Parliament and European Commission both voted that mobile phone providers must abolish roaming charges by the end of this year."
"Roaming charges are unfair and outdated and must go."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31788826
Within that report it tells of two business owners who are/have been affected. 3 Feel like Home wouldn't help Mr. Wallace either, as 3 don't intend that service to be permanently roaming.
I know from experience that it isn't just people in areas some 2-3 miles from the border that can be affected - I've seen this roaming happen some 15 miles away from the Republic.

[grumpyoldbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

I only remember one phone that had the facililty to edit these lists, which I assume are in the SIM. The phone was the tri-band Motorola L7089 Time Port that you had to switch from dual band 900/1800 to 1900 for the USA manually.

I had a Timeport. Great phone. Used it for infrared connection to my Psion to get online. Clearly I'm a retro-nerd!

[jonmorris]

Everyone thought of that as the first proper phone for roaming. Tri-band was really quite something then!

What wasn't so nice was the HORRIBLE Motorola user interface.

I preferred the Ericsson SH888, also with infrared data, but think that came a bit later.

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Everyone thought of that as the first proper phone for roaming. Tri-band was really quite something then!
What wasn't so nice was the HORRIBLE Motorola user interface.
I preferred the Ericsson SH888, also with infrared data, but think that came a bit later.

Agreed, the Motorola was horrible to use. Ditched it as soon as the Nokia tri-band appeared, I think that was the 6310 ?? Also had infrared and didn't need manually switching on the bands.

I used infrared data with a Palm at the time, commuting on the train it worked for email, mostly. Orange GPRS

[jonmorris]

Infrared worked really well outdoors in the sunlight!

[jchamier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Infrared worked really well outdoors in the sunlight!

Ahh yes, the 6210 had infrared and a green screen and 2 day battery, and the 6310 had bluetooth and a blue screen and 7 day battery life. The Bluetooth solved the sunlight problems (not that we get enough in the UK!).

[jonmorris]

With the biggest, bulkiest, battery I think the 6310 had a battery that still hasn't required charging since it came out.

This was one of the first, if not the first, phones to offer a Lithium Ion battery.

[grumpyoldbat]

1 week battery life - £99! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-6310i-.../dp/B00009XLNH