Europeans who have ever caught unexpected roaming charges out the wazoo will be relieved to know the European Union has just informally agreed to set regulations on text/data/voice roaming rules that aims to protect consumers. The plan goes into effect on July 1st, 2009 and will follow these guidelines:

Outgoing Roaming Calls:

• 2009: capped at €0.43/minute
• 2010: capped at €0.39/minute
• 2011: capped at €0.35/minute

Incoming Roaming Calls:

• 2009: capped at €0.19/minute
• 2010: capped at €0.15/minute
• 2011: capped at €0.11/minute

Data Roaming (excluding VAT):

• 2009: capped at €1.00 per megabyte
  
• 2009: capped at €.80 per megabyte
  
• 2009: capped at €.50 per megabyte

For voice roaming, customers wouldn’t be charged by the minute, but by the second, although carriers could set a :30-second minimum. In addition, carriers would be obligated to notify customers who have reached €50 (excluding VAT) of roaming charges, denying them of roaming service until they acknowledge the expense.

Props to the European Union.

[Via Europees Parlament]