Mobile phone users across Europe overcharged, says group

MOBILE phone users throughout Europe are being overcharged, suffer poor quality services, are subjected to lengthy delays in dealing with complaints and often have to endure dodgy selling practices.

They are also kept in the dark about potential health risks, according to the European Commission’s consumer watchdog. There is growing concern that mobile phone operators may be operating a price cartel in contravention of EU law.

A European-wide survey published today shows consumers are facing too many problems when buying or using their mobile phones.

The study, conducted by the European Consumers’ Organisation, shows it is virtually impossible in some countries for consumers to make price comparisons.

In Germany alone, there are 137 different types of contracts between the service provider and the consumer with over 2,700 different tariffs.

“Consumers are demanding high-quality services, much clearer information on prices and above all, more competition ” ECO’s director, Jim Murray, said yesterday.

“These issues must be addressed before third generation mobile telephony can be introduced with some chance of success,” he said.

He also warned the next stage of mobile phone use would need up to 16 times as many masts as at present to ensure proper coverage.

The survey shows price comparison between European operators is virtually impossible.

Some operators apply a per second charging unit from the first second of a call, while others charge for the first minute as an indivisible unit.

One of ECO’s French member organisations estimates around 40% of the time charged to consumers is in fact, not used by them.

The quality of service also varies hugely and a particular problem is involuntary roaming when travelling close to a border. The mobile might connect itself to the foreign network and the consumer may be charged roaming tariffs.

The study found roaming charges generally are very expensive and sometimes surprisingly similar between different operators in the same member state, which suggests that some operators may be operating illegal cartels.

Other problems include aggressive selling practices, failure to warn of radiation risks and unfair contract terms.

One of the biggest worries is the safety of mobile phone masts.