Ukraine to Join EU's Mobile Roaming Area, Boosting Connectivity for Refugees

Strategic Insights -

The European Commission has proposed allowing Ukraine to join the EU's mobile roaming area, making it possible for Ukrainian citizens to make phone calls, send texts, and use mobile data in the EU's 27 member states without incurring additional charges. This move aims to facilitate communication between Ukrainian citizens living in the EU and their loved ones back home. The proposal, announced on June 16, would also facilitate Ukraine's integration into the EU's "Roam like at Home" provision, which eliminates roaming charges between EU nations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Commission has proposed that Ukraine join the EU's mobile roaming area, allowing Ukrainian citizens to make phone calls, texts, and use mobile data in the 27 EU countries without extra charges.
  • The proposal, announced on June 16, aims to facilitate communication between Ukrainian citizens living in the EU and their loved ones back home, particularly the over four million Ukrainian refugees living in the EU.
  • Ukraine's participation in the roaming provisions will replace voluntary measures that "allowed for roaming without surcharges and affordable international calls for EU and Ukrainian citizens abroad," according to the European Commission.
  • If approved, Ukraine will become the only country outside of the EU to join the bloc's "Roam like at Home" policy.
  • The move is part of Ukraine's efforts to implement reforms in pursuit of EU membership, which was applied for in 2022 at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion.
  • Ukraine has made significant progress in the accession process, achieving candidate status within months, with the initial negotiations opening under Poland's rotating presidency.
  • Ukraine aims to open the remaining three negotiation clusters in the second half of 2025 under the Danish chairmanship, with the EU's Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, indicating that Ukraine could join the EU by 2029 if it successful implements necessary reforms.

Statistics:

  • Ukraine has over four million refugees living in the EU, who will benefit from the proposed mobile roaming agreement.
  • The "Roam like at Home" provision eliminates roaming charges between EU nations, making international communication more affordable.
  • Ukraine applied for EU membership in 2022 and has made significant progress in the accession process, achieving candidate status within months.
  • The proposal will impact the over four million Ukrainian refugees living in the EU, facilitating communication with their loved ones back home.

Sources:

  • European Commission Proposal for Ukraine to Join EU's Mobile Roaming Area
  • European Commission statement by President Ursula von der Leyen (June 16)
  • EU's "Roam like at Home" provision
  • Ukraine's application for EU membership (2022)
  • EU's Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi's statement on Ukraine's accession process