ComReg order could cut mobile costs by 20%

MOBILE phone charges could fall by as much as 20% after the industry watchdog demanded that prices be reduced.

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has ordered the three main networks, Vodafone, O2 and Meteor, to cut their wholesale mobile termination rates - the charges operators pay to other mobile and fixed-line networks for calls connected to their networks.

The wholesale rate is built into the charges paid by consumers.