The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft decision made by the EU-Ukraine Association Committee in Trade Configuration, which creates conditions for Ukraine to acquire the EU’s internal market regime in the sphere of roaming, according to the Ministry of Economy’s press service. Ukraine EU free roaming zone

The decision, made on April 7, 2023, provides for the supplementation of the lists and schedules for the adaptation of EU legislation in the telecommunications sector. This includes current changes in EU legislation, particularly with regard to roaming in public mobile networks.

Ukraine’s Accession to EU Roaming Space: Benefits and Challenges

The decision is expected to allow Ukraine to become fully integrated into the intra-European regulation, with this year’s roaming sector being the “pilot” for legal integration. This updated plan is one of the stages of implementation of the Priority Action Plan to strengthen the Free Trade Agreement implementation, which has been approved by the Ministry of Economy and the European Commission.

Roaming refers to the ability of a mobile phone user to access the services of another mobile network operator when traveling outside of their home network. This means that a Ukrainian citizen with a Ukrainian mobile phone number would be able to use their phone in any EU country without incurring additional charges.

It includes 29 measures aimed at Ukraine’s integration into the EU’s internal market, with the main focus on updating the necessary annexes to the agreement, monitoring compliance with legislation, and approving decisions on market opening.

The First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, stated that the goal is to integrate into the EU internal market without waiting for EU accession, emphasizing that this means integration in all relevant areas, “from customs and energy to food safety.” In addition to the elimination of roaming charges, joining the EU roaming space will also ensure that Ukrainian mobile network operators are subject to the same regulations as EU operators.

With this Ukrainian citizens will be able to enjoy the same high-quality services and protections as their EU counterparts, including fair pricing, transparent billing, and data protection.

A Step Towards a Level Playing Field for Ukrainian Businesses Ukraine EU free roaming zone

Moreover, by joining the EU roaming space, Ukraine will be able to participate fully in the EU’s Digital Single Market, which aims to create a level playing field for businesses in the digital economy. This will provide Ukrainian businesses with access to a market of over 500 million consumers, as well as opportunities for innovation, growth, and investment.

However, there is still much work to be done before Ukraine can fully integrate into the EU’s internal market. The Priority Action Plan to strengthen the Free Trade Agreement implementation includes 29 measures aimed at achieving this goal, but these measures must be implemented effectively and efficiently.

Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, said that accession to the EU roaming space would mean the introduction of modern and transparent rules in the telecommunications sector, noting that Ukraine has approved a document that would allow it to sign an agreement with the European Union this year. Ukraine EU free roaming zone