Press Release
RICHARD BURT
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire
Date: 23/05/2007
Embargo: Immediate
Contact: 07970 713032
RICHARD BURT WELCOMES DEAL OVER MOBILE ROAMING CHARGES
Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Richard Burt has today welcomed
the outcome of a deal, which will see lower charges for calls made and received
from mobiles in other EU countries. Following years of warnings and calls for
the operators to reduce high roaming tariffs the European Union institutions
have had to resort to a regulatory approach to address a case of market failure.
Commenting on the new law, Richard said:
“As someone who has suffered from the high rate of mobile call charges from the
continent, I would like to congratulate my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the
European Parliament who have been instrumental in this new law, which will now
protect holiday makers from Worcestershire and across the country.
“The major concerns throughout these negotiations have been to ensure that
consumers 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. Those people who are off to the mainland continent for their
holidays, should now feel the benefits of the single market and will 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. Today’s vote by the
European Parliament is yet another sign of how our European institutions can
make real benefits to the lives of ordinary people.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The compromise deal would offer a sliding retail tariff level of €0.49 per
minute for calls made in the first year, falling to €0.46 in the second year and
€0.43 in the third year before expiring and allowing the market to function
freely. Received calls would be charged at €0.24, €0.22 and €0.19 per minute
over the same timeframe. Customers will be given two months to opt for the new
Euro Protection Tariff (EPT) or remain with their current tariff package.
Customers who are not already subscribed to a special rate with their operator
and who do not respond within two months will be automatically provided with the
EPT.
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