Network offers roam rate 20% below EU tariff

CHEAPER roaming rates will apply from the end of August for Irish mobile phone users travelling abroad.

One of the four Irish operators, the 3 network newcomer, is offering its customers a deal 20% below the regulation EU tariff — and its rivals in the Irish market.

Recently the European Commission moved to slash the tariffs mobile phone operators had been charging their customers.

Under the new deal, customers of 3 may make calls within EU countries for 39c a minute and receive calls from anywhere in the world for 19c a minute.

Robert Finnegan, managing director of 3, said his company had been leading the campaign to end the roaming rip-off experienced by mobile users and had lobbied hard for the lowering of wholesale rates charged by “the old networks”.

The reduced charges from Vodafone, O2 and Meteor — at 59c and 29c — fall into line with the minimum reductions laid down in the European Commission’s regulation.

In the EU as a whole, the lowest roaming rates identified by the commission were offered by Britain’s 3, at 31.5c and 12.6c respectively.

Communications regulator ComReg said Irish mobile companies had committed to automatically applying the new rates for all customers, other than those on special roaming tariffs. Customers deals such as Vodafone Passport need to contact their service provider if they want to avail of the new roaming rates.

A spokesperson for O2 said all its bill-paying customers would receive letters, while pre-pay users would be sent texts detailing the new rates.

Operators, which include the major players Vodafone and O2, are offering special packages for consumers who use mobiles abroad regularly.

A spokesperson for Meteor said the company had been advising customers since mid-July of the reduced tariffs.

Roaming Rates

* Lowest — 3: 39c to call; 19c to receive.

* Vodafone, O2 and Meteor: 59c and 29c.

* EU tariff: 59c and 39c.