Euro-tariff ends rip-off mobile roaming charges

4.23.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd May 2007

The European Parliament has backed a new European law capping mobile phone roaming charges on calls made and received abroad, in a move expected to affect more than 150 million people across Europe. This will deliver cheaper calls for British tourists in time for their summer holidays this year.

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, welcoming the compromise reached between the European Parliament and EU governments as a victory for consumers, said:

"This is a clear case of the practical benefits of the European Union. The cost of receiving a call in countries like France, Spain and Greece will fall by about 75% to just 16p a minute, while the cost of making a call from abroad will fall to around 33p a minute. The EU has rescued mobile phone users from the exploitation they have suffered at the hands of mobile phone companies for far too long."

MEPs have successfully ensured that consumers everywhere in Europe will be properly informed about the level of tariffs they are being charged when outside their home country, and will have a right of choice of operators and services and to protection against abusive charges that bear no resemblance to actual costs. Sarah added:

"It is only since the EU has threatened regulation that mobile operators have made any effort to lower roaming costs. In the 2 years that the European Commission has been investigating regulation, mobile operators have cynically made small reductions hoping to stave off controls. If operators were really serious about reducing charges they would have also made efforts on data roaming charges."

"The proposed price cap leaves room for competition to lower prices even further. If it works and proper competition is created then regulation will be discontinued after three years. I hope the regulation of calls will also trigger a reduction in charges for data and SMS calls from abroad. The industry has had its wrist slapped once; it would be wise of them to stay out of trouble in future."

Note:

Telephone companies will have one month from the time the regulation is published in the EU's Official Journal, probably in mid-June, to offer the new Euro-tariff. Consumers should start to enjoy the new rates in mid-July. All customers will be free to switch to or from the Euro-tariff at any time. Customers who have opted neither for the Euro-tariff nor for another roaming deal will have the Euro-tariff applied to their bills automatically.