Mobile roaming charges to be slashed

Rochdale holidaymakers concerned about the cost of connecting to the internet with mobile phones when in another EU country will welcome new rules which come into force tomorrow (Thursday 1 July 2010), just in time for the summer break.

Euro MP Arlene McCarthy, who steered the law through the European Parliament when she was Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee said:

“Mobile phone companies were given ample opportunity to act on the cost of using phones in another EU country. In the end it has taken EU action on every issue – calling, texting and now data roaming - to bring prices down.

“The message is clear, we will take on industry when there is clear evidence of over-charging and we will win a fairer deal for consumers.

“This is more good news on prices for mobile phone users. Since we brought in the law we have slashed costs by 73% on average compared to 5 years ago.

“Consumers can now holiday and work in Europe safe in the knowledge that they won’t be coming home to a rip-off mobile phone bill on their doormat.”

As of 1 July 2010:

• Operators will have to impose a monthly default cut-off for data roaming of €50 (£41.50). Consumers can also select a different cut-off limit if offered by the operator or opt out of this bill shock safeguard entirely.

• Operators are obliged to send users a warning they reach 80% of their data-roaming bill limit. The operator will have to cut off the mobile internet connection once the limit has been reached, unless the customer has indicated they want to continue data roaming.

• Prices for mobile roaming calls will be reduced further with a maximum tariff of 32p per minute for calls made and 12.5p per minute for calls received.

• The maximum wholesale prices for data roaming will fall from €1 to €0.80 per MB.

• Receiving a voice mail message while roaming will become free of charge.

• The price for sending a text message while roaming in the EU will remain limited to a maximum of €0.11. Receiving an SMS in another EU country is free of charge.