Ukraine starts to harmonize its laws ahead of accession to EU's free mobile roaming zone

MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Ukraine and the European Union have finalized the formal procedures for amending the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, thus paving the way for Ukraine's official accession to the EU's free mobile roaming zone, Ukrainian media said, citing an announcement posted on social media by Ukraine's national commission for state regulation of electronic communication, radio frequencies and the provision of postal services.

The EU-Ukraine Association Committee in the Trade Configuration has approved updates to Addendum 17-3 (rules applied to telecommunication services) to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, a move that makes it possible to start to bring Ukrainian legislation in line with EU laws, thus allowing Ukraine to subsequently join the EU's Roam-Like-At-Home (RLAH) free mobile roaming space.

Ukraine is now starting to do its homework, i.e. harmonize its mobile roaming laws with the relevant legislation of the EU, the commission said.

It was reported earlier that Ukraine could join the RLAH zone in 2024 if all necessary legal changes were implemented in less than 12 months

When asked how the tariffs will change following Ukraine's accession to the RLAH zone, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister of Innovations and Development of Education, Science and Technologies and Digital Transformation Minister Mikhail Fyodorov said that they would be lower than before the crisis. Consumers will not have to pay additional fees or buy SIM cards in the country of stay to save money because they will benefit from continuing to use Ukrainian operators' domestic tariffs. Such tariffs have been introduced in a large number of European countries thanks to the joint statement, and will be available on a permanent basis after Ukraine joins the RLAH zone.

The Ukrainian government earlier finalized the internal procedure for updating Addendum 17-3 of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The Council of the EU carried out a similar internal procedure a few days ago. As reported, following approval of these updates by the trade structure of the EU-Ukraine Association Committee, Ukraine will have 12 months to implement a list of legislative norms in order to be able to join the EU's free roaming space. Afterwards, based on an EU assessment, a final decision will be made as to when Ukraine may join the RLAH zone.