EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES TO CAP ROAMING PHONE CHARGES

1.55.43pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd May 2007

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, today welcomed a vote by the European Parliament agreeing a consumer protection tariff to cap international roaming charges and lower the cost of using mobile phones abroad.

The plan will cut prices to a quarter or a fifth of what EU citizens now pay for calls back home from other member states. The adoption of today's report means a deal capping roaming charges within Europe will be struck by July.

The Parliament's decision will mean the cost of making a mobile call anywhere in the EU would be capped at 33p a minute and receiving a call would cost no more than 16p a minute.

Speaking today in Brussels, Liz commented:

"I look forward to a final deal in July, with the new law coming into effect soon after, 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."

Once agreement is reached by member states in July, mobile operators will have one month to offer the price cap to customers and another month to activate it when accepted. The cap will be automatic for customers who have not replied two months after the offer is made. However, customers already benefiting from specific roaming tariffs or packages would not be switched automatically;

" Its important that consumer's know how to benefit from the price cap in time for their holidays; I hope phone operators will work with the European Commission to ensure the implementation of these new regulations are as transparent and accessible as possible"