The Federal government’s attempt to lower the cost of international roaming between Australia and New Zealand could be hindered by a free-trade agreement with the United States.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is investigating what implications price capped international roaming charges will have and how it will affect the free trade agreement between the US and Pacific countries, claims the SMH.
”DFAT is working with the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on a range of issues in relation to international mobile roaming and Australia’s international trade obligations,” said a department representative.
Wholesale roaming prices are being slowly lowered, with the European Commission pressuring telecommunication carriers to cap roaming fees. International roaming rates are governed by secret agreements negotiated between foreign and local mobile companies.
Recently, the government has been taking a closer look at roaming rates between Australia and New Zealand, with similarities between regulatory systems and their neighbouring location proving promising for roaming price cuts.
Also under scrutiny is the cost Australians incur when data roaming, with a report filed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealing Australian data roaming chargers are amongst the world’s highest.
