Cost of Text from Europe To be Reduced

Text messages 11p anywhere in Europe this summer

MEPs have reached agreement with EU governments on a deal that will significantly cut the ‘mobile roaming’ charges for SMS and data abroad from July 1st 2009. Prices for making and receiving mobile voice calls when abroad, which were first capped in 2007, are further reduced under the agreement.

London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford said:

“UK consumers face a scandalous cost for sending a text message from abroad. It can be as high as 41p, when the actual cost to the operator is less than 1p. This deal means that UK operators will be able to charge no more than 11p.”

“The new cap on data charges will stop the nasty shocks that people receive when they return from holiday, open their bills and see they have been charged a small fortune! Mobile phone companies must operate cut-off limits to stop the danger of charges silently mounting up.”

“I’m delighted that once again the EU has stood up for the consumer and helped the pound in our pocket stretch a bit furth