CONCERNS are growing that plans to drop mobile phone roaming charges from June this year could be reversed because of Brexit.
Following years of negotiations, the EU secured a deal with mobile phone companies ending the practice.
Roaming charges affected tourists and also had a significant impact in border areas in Ireland. People living in counties Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh often paid higher mobile bills when their phones picked up the signal from the Republic.
Following the deal brokered by the European Union, the practice was to end in June. However, there are now fears that Northern Ireland mobile phone users could be left once again with higher bills.
A report by the European Parliament's industry, research and energy committee revealed that the roaming deal would not apply in the UK after Brexit and called for transitional arrangements.
A Donegal county councillor has called on the Republic's government to engage with mobile phone companies to ensure people in border counties do not suffer economically.
Gary Doherty said it did not make sense to have mobile phone roaming charges within the island of Ireland.
"We cannot sit back and allow the situation to arise where Irish citizens can use their phones free from roaming charges in the far eastern limits of the European Union yet be subjected to these charges simply by traversing the border between Donegal and Tyrone," the Sinn Féin councillor said.
The issue has also been taken up by SDLP assembly member, John Dallat. Mr Dallat said the re-introduction of roaming charges could have a major impact on private and business users.
"In places like Derry or even around Magilligan, mobile phones often slip into a southern system; sometimes it nearly depends on what way the wind is blowing.
"After years of trying to sort this out, people in border counties in Ireland are again going to be penalised because of the foolish decision to leave the European Union," he said.
Mr Dallat called on the Irish and British governments to make the issue a priority in Brexit negotiations.
