Action to force text roaming costs down is welcome, says MEP

3.06.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Sep 2008

Local Euro-MP Liz Lynne has welcomed today's EU Commission announcement which will see big reductions in text messaging charges within the EU.

Following on from last year's successful efforts to bring down roaming charges on mobile phone calls, the current proposals are expected to see text message retail charges capped at between 11 and 15 euro cents (9-12p) and a wholesale cap on data roaming (mobile internet use). This wholesale cap should also lead to lower retail pricing.

Liz Lynne, a strong supporter of last year's capping of mobile phone charges, commented:

"Just as with mobile phone call charges, operators were given months to regulate their own prices, and having failed to do so, they will now be forced to bring these down to more reasonable levels.

"With customers currently paying up to four times as much for sending text messages abroad as they do at home, too many people are coming home from their holidays to find a nasty surprise when they see their phone bill. As someone who uses a UK mobile regularly in other EU countries, I know first-hand how pricey it can be.

"Any caps to curb excessive prices can't come soon enough and hopefully the wholesale cap on mobile internet will also bring retail prices down. Let us hope that the era of customers unknowingly being charged thousands for watching video clips while lying on the beach will be consigned to history."

ENDS

Notes:

The European Parliament is expected to vote on the current proposals in the spring, and new rules could come into force by next July.