EU agrees plan for cheaper calls abroad

The GSM Association (GSMA), which represents more than 700 mobile operators around the world, has warned that consumers should not celebrate yet as phone companies could be forced to increase domestic charges in order to make up the shortfall. 

"We're disappointed. The price caps are very low. They leave no room for competition below those levels. They will become the standard tariff," said David Pringle, spokesman for the GSMA. 

He said that the proposal "smacks of a planned economy-style approach to the market", and added that informing all customers of their tariff choices would be a "huge exercise in logistics". 

EPP-ED MEP Paul Rübig, Parliament's rapporteur on the roaming regulation, said: "We have promised to deliver before this summer and to bring down roaming prices considerably. It is time for all member states to live up to this promise." 

"We can't guarantee an agreement, but we're almost there," added Industry Committee Chairwoman Angelika Niebler (EPP-ED). 

Giles Chichester, industry spokesman for the British Conservatives in Parliament, said that the compromise was not perfect, as he had hoped that charges for receiving calls while abroad would be eliminated and that warning icons informing people of the charges before they make or receive a call would also be made mandatory. 

However, he concluded: "This proposal will protect innocent consumers going on holiday in parts of Europe from receiving a nasty surprise in the form of their mobile-phone bill on their return." 

"I would have thought we could have gone the extra mile, and I think there is room for improvement," said Socialist MEP Joseph Muscat. 

Greens/EFA shadow Rapporteur David Hammerstein said: "While today's proposal falls short of the cuts the Greens felt were necessary, it goes some way towards bringing the great roaming swindle into check and making it easier for Europeans to call across borders." 

He expressed satisfaction that the new Eurotariff would apply to all consumers by default, saying: "The proposed 'opt in' would have given service providers the opportunity to pull a 'fast one' on their customers - enabling them to take advantage of customers who are not informed about the changed tariffs and continue to apply their excessive roaming fees." 

"The sooner tariff reductions enter into force, the better for EU consumers," he concluded.