MEPs look to cut mobile roaming charges

MEPs want to slash mobile phone roaming charges — not just for making calls but also for receiving and sending text messages and data.

The proposal, to cut roaming charges for mobile calls by up to 70% in time for the summer holidays in July, cleared the first of several hurdles in the European Parliament yesterday.

MEPs on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee voted in favour of the plan to force mobile phone companies to reduce the sums they charge customers for making and receiving calls when they are abroad.

They also want the European Commission to take the same action on charges for SMS texting and on-line data through mobiles.

Yesterday’s vote increases the chances of the Parliament and the Council, representing the governments of the member states, agreeing the legislation by early June. There is broad agreement already between them to cap roaming charges at 50 cent a minute but two more Parliament committees must vote: one today, the other on April 12.

The Parliament as a whole will vote on it during May and the Telecom Ministers from the member states will formally approve the legislation on June 7.