Crackdown on mobile surfing charges welcomed by Labour MEPs - 2011-07-06

The European Commission has announced plans to act against sky-high charges levied on consumers who use their mobile phones to access emails or the internet while in another EU country.

Current rules already regulate the cost of making and receiving calls, as well as sending text messages when "roaming" inside the EU. However, with internet enabled smart-phones becoming increasingly common, consumers often find themselves being stung by big bills that have been run up through high data charges.

The new rules will set price caps on what companies can charge for data roaming, bringing them much closer to the actual cost paid by the mobile operator for using another company's network.

Responding to news, Labour's European spokesperson on consumer rights, Catherine Stihler MEP, said: "This is welcome news for consumers who are still being charged too much for using their phones when abroad.

"We have already taken action to bring down the cost of making calls and sending texts while in another EU country.

"But with people increasingly using their smart phones to access the internet and online services, many mobile operators are ripping-off off consumers with hugely inflated charges.

"We'll need to look at the detail of what is being proposed by the Commission, but this looks like a very positive step forward."

Catherine Stihler also warned mobile companies not to try to use the proposals as an excuse to drive up prices for other services:

"Mobile phone operators have known for some time that if they did not act to end these unfairly high charges then the EU would act to protect consumers.

"These companies are making big profits out of people who use their phone while on holiday without realising the huge costs that could entail.

"There can be no excuse for raising prices just because these rip-off roaming fees are being challenged."

The proposals will need to be agreed by the European Parliament and EU governments before they come into force.

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