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Roaming charges for using mobile phones abroad in the EU will be completely banned in June 2017, the European Parliament decided on Tuesday.

Vodafone Turkey wants to pay the tender price of 778 million euros it offered in a recent deal for advanced 4G technologies in cash this year, CEO Gökhan Ö?üt said on Aug. 28 as reported by Reuters. 

Turkey?s three existing mobile operators, Turkcell, Vodafone and Avea, have won the rights to the country?s advanced 4G network due to be established for a sum of more than 1.14 billion euros, in the Aug. 26 tender held by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority.

Another bidder, Netgsm, declined to make an offer.

The European Commission will monitor the behavior of mobile operators in view of the planned abolition of roaming charges within the EU as of mid-2017, according to Gunther Oettinger, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society.

Almost two years after the European Commission put forward its proposal for a telecoms single market, an agreement was found with the European Parliament and the Council. The compromise was reached on Wednesday following final negotiations between the three institutions (so-called ‘trilogue’ meetings). It foresees:

Turkey's defense procurement institution has unveiled a critical component in the country's establishment of a 4G network, which is expected to be operational by the first day of 2016.

The deadline for bids in Turkey's 4G license tender has been set for May 26, the information and communications technologies authority (BTK) said in a statement on April 10.

In the tender, 20 separate frequency segments will be sold at a minimum value of around 2.3 billion euros ($2.45 billion).

Mobile operator Max announced Wendsday the launch of new 4G LTE mobile Internet services - a range of prepaid packages, mobile data joint subscription plans for up to six users, as well as add-ons with the option for expansion of the data packages.

Individuals and families with low incomes in Turkey will receive free Internet access under a new government measure.

According to the Ministry of Development's 2015-2018 Information Society Strategy and Action Plan, the aim to provide free Internet is to reduce the digital divide in society by providing Internet access to Turkey's poorest, giving families with students the priority.

EU member states on Wednesday proposed to postpone scrapping mobile roaming charges by three years until 2018 at least.

At present, mobile phone customers in the EU face extra roaming charges for calls, text messages or internet usage in member states other than their own.