Why Service Providers "Love" International Mobile Roaming

If there is anything constant in the communications business, it is that very-high prices will create incentives for new entrants to offer lower prices, and for regulators to act to lower prices. 

That is happening in the international roaming area, with respect both to voice calls and use of data networks, and for good reason: prices really are quite high. In Europe, wholesale rates for data roaming are dropping by regulatory action. 

Xigo illustrates the issue. 

Eurotariff maximum roaming charge per minute in Euros (without VAT)

Eurotariff maximum price while abroad	Making a call	Receiving a call	Sending an SMS	Receiving an SMS	Mobile Internet
Summer 2009	43 cents	19 cents	11 cents	free	-
Summer 2010	39 cents	15 cents	11 cents	free	-
Summer 2011	35 cents	11 cents	11 cents	free	-
Summer 2012	29 cents	8 cents	9 cents	free	70 cents/MB*

by NowSourcing. Check out our data visualization blog.