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ITU GSR 2024

ITU International Mobile Roaming (IMR) Portal

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​Over the last several y​ears, significant policy and regulatory actions have tackled the issue of high International Mobile Roaming (IMR) service prices at national, regional and international level.  Recognizing its importance, the​ Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) launched the LET'S ROAM THE WORLD Initiative, to bring together Regulatory Associations, Regional and International Organizations, Consumer Associations and Private Sector Associations to discuss and collaborate on the development of IMR Strategic Guidelines.

This portal gathers the results from this work, information on activities and initiatives done by ITU Members and ITU activities on IMR. It also highlights key findings from ITU publications, studies, research, ITU Study Groups, and data and analysis on IMR from the ITU DataHub.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

IMR Strategic Guidelines

 

The IMR Strategic Guidelines were developed with inputs from stakeholders during the ITU Consultation Process (held during 2016 and 2017), including Regional Regulatory Associations (RAs), International Organizations, Consumer and Private Sector associations. 

The aim of these Guidelines is to build the foundation for harmonized measures around the world to improve the delivery of IMR services for the benefit of consumers, to reduce what are generally perceived as high mobile roaming retail prices, and to enhance efficiency and transparency of retail roaming prices and services. We all need to continue working together to make ICTs even more affordable for all, including when roaming the world.

Download the ITU IMR Strategic Guidelines

 

​Data collected by ITU on International Mobile Roaming (IMR) regulatory and policies strategies is available on the ITU DataHub​.  ​


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​Source: ITU, 2022

Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL)

The LET'S ROAM THE WORLD Initiative

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The LET'S ROAM THE WORLD Initiative was launched by the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau during the ITU Global Dialogue on International Mobile Roaming, held in Geneva in September 2015. This Dialogue reviewed the developments in the area of international mobile roaming, in particular the economic and regulatory measures being employed to reduce the prices that users pay for roaming services.

During the implementation of the LET'S ROAM THE WORLD Initiative the need for collaboration among all stakeholders involved in IMR was highlighted.  ITU is a neutral facilitator that can gather expert information and to exchange information to foster solutions that ultimately benefit, on the one hand, consumers with lower prices and on the other hand, operators with increased returns on their investments.   

It is important to recognize the invaluable work done by Regional Regulatory Associations (RAs), Regional and International Organizations, Consumer Associations and Private Sector Associations in the definition and revision of the building blocks for this Set of IMR Strategic Guidelines addressed to all stakeholders. 


The Recommendation ITU D.98 on Charging in International Mobile Roaming Service was approved in September 2012. Section 4 of this Recommendation contains principles for lowering IMR rates including empowering consumers, market-based solutions and regulatory intervention.  Excerpt from ITU Recommendation D.98:

"Empowering consumers:
  1. Transparent information on IMR retail
      rates and structure before users roam
      internationally;
  2. Usage alerts when users start to roam;
  3. Warning alert when a certain cost has 
      incurred;
  4. Roaming cost caps;
  5. Special user protection measures for 
      inadvertent roaming in border regions;
  6. User choice of visiting network."

In addition, the ITU convened the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (3-14 December 2012). This landmark conference reviewed the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs), which agreed that "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."

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