Calling time on mobile bill rip-off: 25% cut in store

MOBILE phone bills could fall by 25% after the European Commission yesterday ruled that prices in Ireland were too high.

The EC approved plans by telecoms watchdog, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), to force Vodafone and O2 to open up their networks to other firms in a bid to lower prices.

ComReg says charges in Ireland are 35% more expensive than the European average. The average monthly mobile bill for Irish consumers is €47, compared to €31 on the Continent.