Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi has been a major player in the latest negotiations on the EU “telecoms package" as part of the negotiating team responsible for end-users’ rights. A number of MEPs from the European Parliament, including MEP Mizzi, are directly involved in negotiations with the presidency with regards to the so-called Telecom Single Market Drama trying to convince member states to ban roaming charges and include proper safeguards for an open internet.
Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi is the IMCO S&D spokesperson and a shadow rapporteur on this extremely important file for the Maltese consumers that deals with roaming charges and the important principle of net neutrality, which will not only protect consumers by providing them with non-discriminatory and equal access to internet but it will also help innovative start-ups to develop on the market.
"I don't agree with the Council proposal to maintain roaming charges for a few more years during which our citizens will continue paying excessive bills whenever they travel and are abroad. A lot of time has been invested on the abolition of the roaming charges in Europe and my role as the S&D shadow rapporteur for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee is to ensure that consumers' rights are properly taken into account, which currently is not the case," added Marlene Mizzi.
"For me is absolutely vital that consumers are equipped with the relevant tools to ensure their rights are indeed properly safeguarded. During the negotiations, which admittedly have, so far, been challenging, my ultimate goal is to ensure that consumers have sufficient information and transparency together with the necessary remedies to protect their rights. If the consumers are guaranteed certain services, remedies must be in place for their protection.”
MEP Mizzi said that another priority for her is to ensure that consumers continue to receive SMSs and calls even after reaching the financial limit .They must have the tools to control their consumption, in order for them to avoid having to pay shocking bills at the end of the month. Maltese consumers deserve to roam and pay exactly the same for their calls wherever they are in the EU. The 4th negotiating meeting is now foreseen on Monday 29th June and she hopes that the Council will come to its senses and see the benefits for our citizens.