The European Union yesterday said it had reached a preliminary deal on new EU roaming rules, which it said will “lead to a structural and durable solution to the high cost of using mobile phones and other smart devices while travelling in the EU.”

The proposal is expected to be approved by the European Parliament in May 2012, paving the way for the new rules to come into force on 1 July 2012.

In a statement, EC VP for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, noted: “the new roaming deal gives us a long-term structural solution, with lower prices, more choice and a new smart approach for data and Internet browsing.”

The EU plan includes several elements, to be introduced in stages. Initially, it is looking to progressively lower current retail price caps on voice and text services, and introduce a new cap for mobile data services, which will operate as a “safeguard for consumers until 30 June 2017.”

This will be accompanied by a number of measures intended to improve competition in the roaming market.

From 1 July 2012, virtual mobile operators and resellers will have the right to access other operators’ networks at regulated wholesale prices. And from 1 July 2014, customers will be able to select a separate service provider for roaming, including the provision to select a local network for data connectivity.

The EU first made its proposals last year.