I'm sure that Three have already stated that they have no plans to reintroduce roaming charges while EE, Vodafone and O2 are undecided however that might just be for calls and texts, no idea on how data will be affected.
I for one use data a lot when aboard as I use Google Maps to find my way around so I hope we don't have to return to the days of paying £5+ a day for a data addon.
I'm hearing from one network (which I will not name as it's very early days) that we may see an ending of EU roaming, but still enjoy roaming with partner networks - much like was available before.
That could mean some EU countries won't have free roaming. Others may have the choice of just one network for free roaming, or possibly reduced rates. Remember; not all networks are global, and it won't just be a EU deal, it will be deals with individual networks in individual member states.
We've had rates of £8/MB (MB not GB) in the past, and I would hope we'd never go back to that sort of nonsense given modern data requirements and expectations, but networks that said they had no plans to change things are, shock horror, now beginning to make plans.
Remember, data is what most of us want. And besides data caps, there is also throttling to consider. Artificial caps on speed, or even the blocking of certain services (such as HD video streaming).
My suspicion is that it will become like the "free" roaming that several companies offer to outside the EU - EE have it to the US, Australia and a small number of other countries but that is only included in their higher rate contacts. I expect that free EU roaming will disappear at some point from the cheapest contacts, but still legitimately be advertised as something they offer.
That is quite possible.
Currently in the EU there is acceptance that unlimited data plans can have some limits imposed, as well as restrictions for those who have, say an EE plan in the UK but actually live in another member state (3 months before you must re-register on your home network I believe).
The limit is to the amount of data you can use in any given month. Often around 15-20GB. On plans that do have a limit in the UK, say a Vodafone Red 60GB plan, you can use all 60GB abroad.
The EU mandates that the data cannot be throttled. You are also free to tether, so great for business users with laptops that need to get online, or getting the kids onto Netflix. Oh, and remember that EU law also means you can watch iPlayer or Sky Sports when on holiday.
I really do think we'll see many restrictions on data (but maybe we can now pay more to lift said restrictions), and almost certainly won't be able to watch our TV when roaming.
I am not sure of
any benefits that will come of it. We lose many things and gain nothing.