Ferry passengers charged exorbitant fees to use mobiles

FERRY passengers are being charged exorbitant prices for making mobile phone calls because the service is not subject to new EU limits on roaming charges.

Ferry companies, including Irish Ferries and Stena Line, use the services of Maritime Communications Partners (MCP), a Norwegian company, which allows mobile phones to be used at sea.

MCP said the higher charges reflect the higher cost of the satellite technology which allows passengers on board ferries and cruise ships to use their mobiles as normal.