On Thursday more cuts were made to mobile phone roaming charges, as well as new rules that will prevent users accidentally building up huge bills when they use their phones to connect to the internet abroad. Two years ago compulsory maximum roaming rates were imposed on mobile network operators to tackle what was described by EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding called the “roaming rip-off”.
It was understood that before the measure were put in place mobile network operators were making profits of more than 200% for mobile calls made while in another EU country, as well as 300% or 400% for calls received. Earlier this month the networks legal claim that stated Commission was exceeding its powers failed.
The commission is now lowering the maximum permitted charge rates even further they are also introducing measures to stop open-ended billing for “data roaming”. Arlene McCarthy a Labour MEP who has steered the law through the European Parliament, 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.”
Now the new maximum permitted charge for making a mobile call while abroad fell to 32p a minute and the rate for receiving calls to 12.5p a minute and on top of that operators are obliged to apply an automatic 50 euro (£41.50) cut-off limit on accounts if the customer has not stipulated their own limit. The operating network must also send customers a warning when they reach 80% of their data-roaming billing limit. If the limit is reached, the operator must cut off the mobile internet connection unless the customer has declared in advance a wish to continue data roaming above their normal agreed limit in a particular month.