EU cuts mobile charges again

Using your mobile phone abroad will be cheaper from this summer after MEPs voted to cut roaming charges again.

The new limits set in the European Parliament mean phone calls will cost no more than 28p per minute, while the cap on SMS charges is down to 8p per message.

For the first time, there will also be a cap on the amount charged for using data services abroad. MEPs managed to negotiate a much lower price ceiling than originally proposed, limiting the cost of using one megabyte of data to 67p, falling to 18p by July 2014.

Rochdale Euro MP Chris Davies voted for the new package of cost cutting measures.

Davies said, “Everyone relies on being able to use their phones whether they are at home or away on business trips or on holiday.

“With the price of everything else increasing it is good that MEPs have taken action to keep the cost of keeping in touch down within the borders of the EU.

“With the proliferation of iPads and with people needing to access the internet wherever they go, the new limits on data charges will bring relief from shocking bills for millions of holidaymakers and travellers.

“If mobile providers were prepared to be responsible there would be no need for this legislation but as long as big companies want to rip off consumers the EU will step in.”