EU caps mobile phone roaming costs

Chris Frost, Mobile Phone expert at price comparison and switching site uSwitch.com comments on today’s European vote to cut mobile phone roaming charges by at least 50%:

“The announcement today sounds attractive with Europeans potentially being able to save at least 50% on the cost of calls from mid-August, yet the move may not be all it is cracked up to be.

“This new legislation does not take into account popular holiday and business destinations outside the EU such as the US, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and Asia. We could potentially see roaming rates increased in these countries to recoup the fall in revenue. This move also does not take into account text messages and data charges. Again, we may well see charges for these services increased to offset the network providers losses on European call roaming.

“When the pricing change comes into effect in mid-August, the network operators must offer the revised tariffs within a month of the regulations being published. However, it is likely that operators will not heavily advertise the new deals as they will be keen to reap all the benefits of roaming charges incurred by this summer’s late holidaymakers. We urge all mobile customers planning on taking their phones away to request new roaming rates as soon as they come into force by calling their network providers.”