Vodafone announces roaming rates cut

Vodafone is to cut average European roaming costs by at least 40% by April 2007, the company announced today.

The new rates, whose 40% reduction is relative to last summer's costs, will see the average cost of roaming in Europe fall from about 90c to less than 55c per minute.

Vodafone is also to enter into reciprocal wholesale arrangements with any other European operator at no more than 45c per minute for voice calls within the EU from October 2006.

Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin said: "The European Commission and European Parliament have made it clear that they expect to see change. Our announcement today shows that the market…is meeting those expectations."