FCC May Require Mobile Data Roaming Calls
Some mobile operators have been making it difficult for people to use data services while roaming on their networks. This has prompted the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to work on developing a rule that would require carriers to negotiate reasonable deals with other operators in order to provide seamless roaming calls and data for consumers.
An order by the FCC would require operators to offer data roaming arrangements with other carriers on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, and there is ample evidence that a rule is necessary given that operators have been reluctant to negotiate data roaming agreements. One of the Commission's primary concerns is that the transition to LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks will put the basic voice roaming rules in jeopardy, as they will no longer ensure automatic voice roaming due to transmission of voice calls using VOIP over LTE, classifying voice as a data service.