The European Parliament is tomorrow expected to back a key compromise on mobile phone roaming charges that will cap charges on calls made and received abroad. Andrew Duff, Euro MP for the East of England - which includes Harlow - has welcomed the compromise between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. Commenting, Andrew said:

"The major concerns throughout these negotiations have been to ensure consumers everywhere in Europe are properly informed about the level of tariffs they are being charged when outside their home country, to have a choice of operators and services and to be protected against abusive charges that bear no resemblance to actual costs. Mobile phone users should feel the benefits of the single market and not be penalised simply for crossing a border.

It is only since the EU has threatened regulation that mobile operators have made any effort to lower roaming costs. The Commission has been investigating regulation for over two years and in that time mobile operators have cynically made small reductions hoping to stave off regulation. If operators were serious about reducing charges they would have also made efforts on data roaming charges.

The proposed price cap is not excessively low and it will enable competition at even lower prices. If it works and proper competition is created then regulation will be discontinued after three years.

I hope the regulation of voice calls will also trigger a reduction in charges for data and SMS calls from abroad. The industry has had its hand slapped once, it would be wise of them to stay out of trouble in future."