UAE TRA directs Mobile operators in the UAE to reduces GCC Roaming Rates by an average of 42%
The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunication Sector (TRA) announces the application of the new cost caps for INTRA-GCC roaming services by UAE's mobile operators arising from the execution of TRA Directive No. (4) of 2015 regarding Intra-GCC Mobile Roaming Charges issued by the TRA in September 2015. In average, the International roaming prices for UAE customers who travel to GCC countries fall by an average of 42% starting from 1 April 2016.
Commenting on this move, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, the UAE TRA's Director General specified: "The TRA was actively represented in the Roaming Working Group meetings to study the policy of roaming costs in the GCC countries. The application of the cost caps by all mobile operators in the GCC will represent a fantastic accomplishment for GCC nations to be among the pioneers in implementing such policies.The TRA attempts to achieve the satisfaction and happiness of the customers and the TRA is making unremitting efforts to raise the quality of the services provided by the telecommunications segment to better serve the UAEs customers and to confirm that they have access to quality services at competitive prices. We are looking forward to the positive impact that the implementation of this Directive will have on the UAE customers travelling to the GCC.
On 2010, the GCC Ministerial Committee for Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology in its 19th conference approved Phase 1 of the Roaming Working Group (RWG) suggestions for setting a maximum cap on wholesale and retail mobile roaming tariffs within GCC member states.On 9 June 2015 in its 24th meeting, the GCC Ministerial Committee approved the recommendations provided to it by the Roaming Working Group for the implementation of Phase 2 of the mobile roaming regulations. This involves setting cost caps for calls made to other GCC, calls made within the gone to GCC country, calls received while roaming within the GCC, SMS sent while roaming in the GCC and mobile information use while roaming in the GCC.
