Calls for Quick Adoption of Text Charge Cuts - 2009-03-10

Euro MP Arlene McCarthy, Chair of the Parliament's Consumer protection Committee, has welcomed Euro MPs backing for a pro-consumer cut in prices for texting while in another European country.

Arlene said: "last year we introduced the regulation on mobile phone roaming charges for voice calls across Europe which has successfully slashed the cost of roaming calls. We gave industry the chance to voluntarily reduce the costs of text roaming or face further action."

"Consumers are being charged up to 10 times more than domestic rates for sending texts. We have been left no choice but to legislate to protect consumers and to force the industry to reduce their charges, with texts capped at 11 cents/ 9 pence. I want this legislation in force to protect consumers as soon as possible."

Commenting on rules included to ensure per second billing for consumers Arlene said "Many operators have responded to our law on roaming calls and cut their prices further, but some have tried to avoid giving consumers the full benefit by starting to round up charges to the nearest minute. This equals a 20% hidden charge for calls which consumers don't actually use. I have raised this issue with operators, regulators and the Commission over the last year and I am glad Euro MPs have clearly backed my call for a fair deal and a return to per second billing as a requirement for all operators."

The law will also introduce a new system of transparency for 'data roaming'. Arlene said "We must also tackle overcharging for data roaming. In a recent example I was given, a constituent had been charged over one thousand pounds for accessing the internet twice while on holiday. The new transparency rules we have developed are crucial for ending this 'bill shock'".

Commenting on Tory and Liberal proposals to weaken consumer protection measures in the law, Arlene said "yet again we see the laissez-faire approach of Tory and Lib Dem Euro MPs; even when faced with clear and consistent unfair charges for consumers they table proposals to put an early end to the law, to permit higher prices, and to allow operators to continue their 20% hidden charge for roaming calls".

Editors note:

The Industry Committee, voting on Monday 9 March, followed the Consumer Committee lead by approving a cap on charges for texts when 'roaming' in another EU state at 11 cents (9 Pence), and adopting transparency requirements and an extension of the cut to roaming voice call charges.

For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.

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