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.