The idea that customers in a major failure of a telecom provider via a different provider can still make calls, it is hard to implement. That says a responsible minister Verhagen against members of the Second Chamber in a consultation.
Nevertheless, will the minister look at whether there is an agreement between the three existing telecom providers KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile, says Verhagen in a written consultation with Members of parliament.
The minister thinks that it is difficult, because in case of a failure to millions of customers at the same time, have to go on a different network. Because the other networks not designed for that, there is a significant chance that that are then overloaded, causing the other networks in the Netherlands down. Therefore, this ‘national roaming’ is not the most ideal solution, argues the minister.
A workaround would be to allow only certain customers to convert on a different network, writes the minister. “But to also be able to determine for which users the needed. In short: the technical possibilities are present to national roaming. Or it’s also really desirable is the ability to apply, does not, however, without a doubt.” In some European countries, national roaming is an option with a subscription, for example because a provider in some areas, no coverage, while a competitor out there has coverage.
Verhagen later this month with the providers around the table about this topic. Politicians speak for some time about this, but it was up to date again the major disturbance that Vodafone customers last week found. Many users, especially in the region Rotterdam-The Hague, could be for days, not calling, texting or surfing the internet as a central burned down.