EU call charges cut boost for tourists
1st July 2011
People heading off to Europe on holiday are about to benefit from further cuts in the amount mobile phone companies are allowed to charge for calls abroad.
The European Commission put roaming charges down again from Friday - to no more than 32p a minute excluding VAT for people who choose the EU-regulated price plan for calls they make while on holiday, and 10p a minute for calls received by a phone that's in a foreign country.
The cut - from 35p a minute - is good news for anyone jetting off abroad, leaving more travel money in their pocket for holiday essentials such as sun lotion, flip-flops and ice creams.
The extra charges for calls made and received in foreign countries look set to be almost nothing by 2015.
A rule to stop people coming home to huge bills for using the internet on holiday are also still in place. Providers cannot charge more than 50 euro (£45) unless they speak to the customer and they agree to pay more.
The European Commission first acted on roaming call rates four years ago after identifying a so-called "roaming rip-off". Networks could make as much as 200% profit on mobile calls made from abroad - but within the EU - and up to 400% on calls received in those countries.
The networks challenged the rules in court, saying the commission was acting outside its remit but the case was rejected last year, sparking another fall in call charges.
Copyright Press Association 2011
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