EU to operators: Cut roaming SMS and data prices

Link: BBC NEWS | Business | Ministers back roaming charge cut

You’ve probably seen the news recently that the EU have forced European mobile operators to cut their voice rates for roaming customers. It’s a good thing for consumers, and although it doesn’t kick in until October it should reduce the cost of phoning whilst travelling quite significantly.

However, not being one to sit on their laurels, the EU have warned the mobile operators that they’ll be coming after them to sort data and text costs too, unless they do something about it themselves.

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding has warned mobile phone companies that she may also look into what they charge to send text messages and data abroad.

“The operators should know this, heed these warning signals very carefully and bring the prices down to normal by themselves in order to avoid further regulation,” she said.

With UK regulator Ofcom due to start a consultation on the cost of wholesale SMS termination charges this year, there could be an interesting few months ahead for the industry.