The European Commission (EC) has proposed EU Telecoms law reforms that will improve tourist access to telecoms services while on holiday.
Currently, tourists are often unable to access WiFi, freephone and - most importantly - emergency numbers, but all that is set to change if reform proposals are accepted.
The EC has proposed universal emergency services access through one single number - 112 - across all 27 EU member states.
Crucially, operators will be required to immediately determine the location of the caller to ensure that any necessary emergency vehicle can be dispatched to the correct place.
Another key reform is better regulation the of broadband internet market to increase competition in less developed states, which it is hoped will lead to wider internet access.
In addition, it is hoped that freephone and business numbers, previously inaccessible across state borders, will be possible. This should also improve tourist communication when travelling around the EU.
The EC has set out an implementation plan through which it is expected that the new rules can be incorporated into the Member States' national law by 2010.
