Mobile roaming charges closer to cuts

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New rules to cut mobile roaming charges have gained further European Union (EU) approval, but not without some disagreement.

Two more committees - the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee and the Culture and Education Committee - have voted in favour of a proposed regulation which would cut international mobile charges by as much as 70 per cent this summer.

EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding welcomed the support, but criticised a plan to have the law only apply to new customers.

"I find it regrettable that many in the European parliament want only new customers to profit automatically from cheaper roaming tariffs," said Reding.

"Mobile phone penetration in the EU is today at 103 per cent - there are thus not many consumers who would profit from the EU regulation if it would apply automatically only to new customers."

Also under debate is who - operators or the EU - must advertise the cheaper roaming rates.

"I believe the burden of proof should be on the operators to demonstrate that their packages are really cheaper - and thereby to convince consumers to "opt out" from the consumer protection tariff," said Reding. "If consumers first of all will have to "opt in" to the cheaper consumer protection tariff, then operators will be able to rely on the passivity of many consumers."

She said that means taxpayers will have to pay national regulators and European bodies to explain to every single mobile phone user why they should opt in to the plan.

Reding said the roaming regulation required "further reflection" - which it will get at two more votes in April and May and a formal EU telecom council in Luxembourg in June.

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