ITU-T Study Group 3 activities on International mobile roaming and

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ITU-T Study Group 3 activities on International mobile roaming

and Recommendation D-98

ITU/BDT Regional Seminar on Costs and Tariffs for Asia and Pacific and Meeting of the SG3RG-AO Group

Tokyo, Japan, 8-9 April 2013

Eriko Hondo KDDI, Japan

1


Contents

World trend and study on mobile roaming Mobile roaming rapporteur group Establishment Terms of Reference Discussion Recommendation D.98 Result of WCIT related to mobile roaming Study period 2013-2016

2


Growth of mobile subscribers

3

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* 2013*

Fixed-telephone subscriptions Mobile-cellular subscriptions

Mobile Termination Rappoteur Group (RG) is established

Mobile Roaming RG is established

(source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, ITU)

(*estimate)


Growth of mobile broadband

4

(source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, ITU)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* 2013*

Fixed(wired)-broadbandsubscriptions

Activemobile-broadbandsubscriptions

Mobile Data Roaming Regulation has started in Europe

(*estimate)


What is Mobile roaming? Definition Roaming customers can seamlessly continue to use

their mobile phone and phone number to make and receive voice calls and text messages, as well as browse the internet and check emails, whilst visiting another country

The home operator bills their retail customer for services while roaming on a host operator’s network in another country

As a mobile service, the unique feature of IMR is that home operator extends the coverage of these mobile services to another country

(Quote from GSMA document)

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Mobile roaming is watched by …

Regulation in regional level EU: Price caps MVNO Decoupling Regulation in national level Korea: Set a principle for calculating roaming call rates Consideration at regional level APT: Regional Roaming Guidelines Trans-Tasman: Recommend regulators to cooperate on expanding remedies Useful reference in other organizations APECTEL DBCDE BEREC OECD ATU, etc.

6


Key points common to organizations

Take measures to lower unreasonably high mobile roaming rates

Consideration should be given to; promoting healthy competition Effect on user tariff and Inter Operator Tariffs Effect on investment Service quality Transparency Diverse usage demand Diverse stage of mobile evolution Timely measures and review

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Mobile roaming Rapporteur Group (1)

Established in January 2009

Contribution 17 from Australia Suggest to study International mobile roaming at SG3 Propose to consider best practice approaches for mobile

roaming that seek to improve the timeliness and transparency of billing and to reduce the prices for consumers as well as the costs to mobile operators

Rapporteur(s) Ms. Eriko Hondo (KDDI, Japan) Ms.Josephine Adou (ATCI, Cote d’Ivoire) Mr. Omari Al-Rashdan (Jordan Telecom, Jordan) 8


Mobile roaming Rapporteur Group (2) Terms of reference (as of January 2009)

By September 2009 Action 1: identify recent studies within administrations, regulators and regions Action 2: identify market developments that have contributed to a reduction in roaming rates for consumers Action 3: Hold a workshop on this issue Action 4: Liaise with the GSM Association in relation to this study

By June 2010 Action 5: Present the findings of this study, including any updates Action 6: decide the next steps for this study based on the findings above

9


Mobile roaming Rapporteur Group (3) Revision of Terms of reference (May 2010)

Continuous works Action 1: identify recent studies within administrations, regulators and regions Action 2: identify market developments that have contributed to a reduction in roaming rates for consumers Action 3: Hold a workshop on this issue DONE! Action 4: Liaise with the GSM Association in relation to this study

By June 2010 March 2011 Action 5: Investigate the possible effects of regulatory frameworks and agreements and report on this Action 6: Consider developing a Recommendation, a supplement to an existing Recommendation and/or guidelines

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Mobile roaming Rapporteur Group (4) Discussion Active countries submitted contributions/TD continuously 8 countries/organizations, 52 documents Discussion both at the face-to-face meeting and in the mailing list

was also lively Workshop was effective to learn the practical situation of mobile

roaming market Questionnaire generally showed the trends of mobile roaming

rates Concerns are common, but diverse background of the participants Country, Position, Policy, Economy, Growth of mobile industry… (TD: Temporary Document)

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Recommendation D.98 (1)

Determined text at the SG3 meeting held in January 2012 Approved at the next SG3 meeting held in September 2012 Contents: 1 Scope 2 References 3 Definitions 4 Abbreviations and acronyms 5 Principles for lowering international mobile roaming rates 5.1 Empowering consumers 5.2 Market-based solutions 5.3 Regulatory intervention

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Key factors consumers benefit Education and protection

appropriate information measures to inform customers about IMR service tariff measures to warn customers when they arrive in another country that the roaming service is possible, but higher than national tariff

efficient competition give choices to consumers

efficient regulation importance to take into account the effect of regulatory decisions Possible interventions for the benefit of users by encouraging competition

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Press release from ITU

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http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/57.aspx


Result of WCIT related to mobile roaming Article 4

International Telecommunication services

38A 4.4 Member States shall foster measures to ensure that authorized operating agencies provide free-of-charge, transparent, up-to-date and accurate information to end users on international telecommunication services, including international roaming prices and the associated relevant conditions, in a timely manner.

38B 4.5 Member States shall foster measures to ensure that telecommunication services in international roaming of satisfactory quality are provided to visiting users.

38C 4.6 Member States should foster cooperation among authorized operating agencies in order to avoid and mitigate inadvertent roaming charges in border zones.

38E 4.7 Member States shall endeavour to promote competition in the provision of international roaming services and are encouraged to develop policies that foster competitive roaming prices for the benefit of end users.

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Study Period 2013-2016

Study is continued/developed Korea: propose studying practical approaches of Rec. D.98 SG3RG-AFR: draft Supplement The first meeting in May 2013 in Geneva Rapporteur Terms of Reference (Scope) Active contribution is essential to make a good progress on this issue!

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Thank you!

2013/3/8 17

Documents

ITU-T Study Group 3 activities on International mobile roaming and