EU portability means Netflix and travel

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The European Commission has agreed new portability rules.

That means an end to ‘geo-blocking’ so that Europeans travelling outside their home countries within the EU will be able to access digital content such as digital books, video games, music and films via providers like Netflix and Spotify.

The man in charge of the single digital market in Europe tweeted news of the provisional agreement, which is due to come into force in 2018 after being formally adopted by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Agreeing #portability means: Taking your digital content services with you wherever you go in Europe. Simple, natural, #DigitalSingleMarketpic.twitter.com/RUt97GGpfB

— Andrus Ansip (@Ansip_EU) February 7, 2017

Andrus Ansip said it “brings concrete every day benefits to people all over Europe”.

The commission now wants further agreements on modernising EU copyright rules to ensure a wider access to creative content across borders.

Awesome news! Acceess your netflix</a> account on holiday 2018 in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuropeanUnion?src=hash">#EuropeanUnion</a>. We love it! <a href="https://twitter.com/EU_Commission">EU_Commission#thisiswhyhttps://t.co/BeXMpFB9bKpic.twitter.com/y9CYuW0BE9

— WhyEurope (@why_europe) February 8, 2017

Brexit is however likely to mean that Britons will lose those portability rights .. when the UK leaves the European Union. Mobile phone roaming charges for British travellers are also expected to be reinstated then.

#Netflix abroad set for showtime after #EU strikes a “portability” deal https://t.co/7hWhLWr3Qc by kellyfiveash</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pi2xxDB9jb">pic.twitter.com/Pi2xxDB9jb</a></p>&mdash; Ars Technica UK (ArsTechnicaUK) February 8, 2017

EU ban on roaming charges due to come into effect in June will not apply to UK travellers after #Brexit. https://t.co/nL2aWWNl2L

— New Europeans (@NewEuropeans) February 7, 2017