Phone firms get deadline to solve cross-border problem

Mobile phone companies have been given three months to come up with a solution to the problem of users in border areas being caught for unexpected roaming charges, it was announced today.

Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey and Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Angela Smith called all the mobile companies operating on the island to a meeting and urged them to work together for the benefit of all mobile users.

The meeting led to calls for the companies to set single all-island tariffs.

The discussions, which the telecommunications regulators in both jurisdictions attended, was called by the ministers to discuss the technical, administrative and other steps needed to enhance the mobile market.

Of particular concern was cross-border roaming charges suffered by users inadvertently picking up and being charged for the signal from other operators.

Speaking after the meeting Angela Smith said: “The companies recognise the problem of inadvertent roaming and the disadvantage it creates for customers.

“Noel Dempsey and I welcome the commitment the companies made today to engage in a process with the regulators to look at the range of issues involved and to propose solutions.”

They will report back to the ministers within three months.

The Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the move by the two governments.

Regional chairman John Friel said: “The high cost of cross-border calls is a major financial headache for any small business owner who is involved in cross-border trade or whose premises are close to the actual border itself and have the problem of roaming mobile signals resulting in paying international charges.”

All mobile operators should offer all-island tariffs, including the pay as you go option, to all customers, he said.