Roaming while making Wi-Fi calls in the EU could become a heated battlefield as Andi Cristea, an S&D MEP, shines a spotlight on restrictions that trap consumers into higher costs and jeopardize public safety. Cristea's inquiry raises alarm bells for tourists, mobile users, and emergency services, who face blocked Wi-Fi calling—a feature that could otherwise ensure seamless connectivity and access to emergency number 112 across borders without incurring extra roaming charges.
This question was posed in the European Parliament as a formal query addressed to the European Commission on September 17, 2025, drawing on a petition by Bogdan Epure. Cristea’s political group, the Socialists and Democrats, pushed for clarity on the Commission’s stance on roaming restrictions affecting the digital single market.
The Commission’s response, delivered by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, does not promise sweeping legislative changes. It confirms that the decision to activate Wi-Fi calling services, including on roaming, lies with mobile operators under national and EU rules, guided by the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). The Commission points out the availability of Over-the-Top calling apps as alternatives and underscores that national authorities should avoid mandating specific technologies. Regarding emergency calls, the EECC mandates that caller location data must be accessible, which could complicate Wi-Fi calling’s use for 112 calls depending on national implementations.
Cristea’s question surfaces a cleavage between reinforcing EU-wide consumer rights vis-à-vis national telecommunication policies and provider freedoms, highlighting tensions between ensuring free movement of digital services and preserving regulatory flexibility. The proposal urges greater activation of Wi-Fi calling to reduce roaming costs and improve emergency access, but the Commission’s answer maintains the current balance prioritizing provider discretion over mandatory EU-wide service activation.
Stakeholders include mobile network operators, who benefit from discretion to limit or allow Wi-Fi calling; EU consumers and travelers who seek cheaper, seamless communication options; national regulatory authorities responsible for emergency and telecom rules; and civil safety organizations relying on accessible 112 emergency connectivity. Operators may face operational challenges if regulation is tightened, while consumers could gain lower roaming costs and enhanced emergency support.
The Commission’s ongoing dialogue with providers and regulators indicates a watchful but cautious approach, signaling that any regulatory updates will come after further impact assessments. The formal answer marks a critical milestone, with expected follow-ups as the Commission navigates the trade-off between technology neutrality and digital single market efficiency.