Germany pushes back against Swiss ‘cost trap’ for border residents’ mobile bills
German politicians have expressed concerns over the high mobile charges faced by residents near the Swiss border. A recent motion in Baden-Württemberg’s state parliament now calls for an assessment of the so-called 'Swiss cost trap'—where phones automatically connect to expensive Swiss networks.
The issue arises from Switzerland’s exclusion from the EU’s 'Roam Like at Home' agreement. Without this deal, German users risk unexpected fees when their devices switch to Swiss networks. Baden-Württemberg, which shares a long border with Switzerland, has long advocated for Switzerland's inclusion in the EU roaming system due to strong economic and cross-border ties.
The consumer advice centre in southern Baden-Württemberg has repeatedly warned about these costs. Now, FDP members in the state parliament have submitted a formal motion to gauge the problem’s extent. Meanwhile, Swiss authorities have shown little interest in joining the EU roaming framework. The Swiss Federal Council recently advised against a parliamentary motion proposing such a move. German lawmakers have questioned whether Switzerland intends to pursue any future roaming agreement with the EU.
The motion in Baden-Württemberg will investigate how often and severely residents face high Swiss roaming charges. Without a change in Switzerland’s stance, German users near the border may continue paying extra fees when their phones connect to Swiss networks.
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