EU DEAL MEANS CAP ON ROAMING PHONE CHARGERS LIKELY BY JUNE

12.00.00am GMT Fri 16th Mar 2007

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, has welcomed the broad agreement by EU ministers to bring down international roaming charges and lower the cost of using mobile phones abroad.

The development, during an informal meeting yesterday in Hanover, Germany, has raised hopes that a deal capping roaming charges within Europe can be struck by the end of June.

After approval by MEP's in May, the EU would likely sign off on regulations in the first half of the year capping roaming charges at 50c (30p) per minute.

Speaking today in her constituency, Liz Lynne commented:

"I look forward to a final deal by the end of June, after approval from MEPs in May, with the new law coming into effect by early July, just as many West Midland's holiday makers leave the UK for their summer break. Ending overcharging will benefit tourists and business travellers alike"

"Consumers and businesses continue to pay ridiculously high prices for using their mobile phones on the Continent. As someone who regularly uses a UK mobile in other European countries, I know first hand how expensive it can be."

"Although British mobile customers are not the worst off in Europe, the European Commission's investigations have shown that British travellers are still paying excessive prices."

ENDS