End of roaming charges - consumers would be bound to suffer says MEP

MEP Paul Nuttall

"The European Commission has announced plans for new laws that will presumably result in the end of roaming charges for mobile phone users while they are abroad" says Paul Nuttall, UKIP North West MEP.

"Now, this sounds all well and good and I am sure avid travellers, businessmen and tourists alike will see this as good news as it would do away with unexpected bills for using the internet or calling friends and family at home.

"However, before we all rush into praising the Commission for lowering our bills when we use our phone on holiday, I hope you consider that this is all part of the plan to harmonise the mobile network industry into one single market.

"The Commission have already stated that by doing away with roaming charges they hope it will result in the merger of the some 100 different mobile network operators that we see in the 28 member states. Indeed this is already underway in Germany with E-Plus and O2 looking to merge, reducing the number of operators down to three.

"These acquisitions and mergers are never good news. The UK has four network operators plus a number of micro networks such as Giffgaff and Virgin Media. If the EU were to create the conditions that would force another merger in the UK, consumers would be bound to suffer through less choice and increased contract prices. Free roaming is simply not worth it."