East Mids MEP Emma McClarkin supports reduced roaming costs for mobile phone users in EU vote

The European Parliament yesterday voted through new legislation to make mobile phone calls and roaming data-downloads much cheaper for holidaymakers and business travellers – and the new rules will be in place in time for the summer getaway.

MEPs sitting in Brussels voted through a package of measures to tackle the high cost of using mobile devices abroad in Europe. Once ratified by the European Council the package will take force on July 1.

East Midlands Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin backed the measures and welcomed the better deal for consumers. It will allow them to sign up for a second, alternative provider for their roaming services elsewhere within the EU (under the same number) if their domestic provider is charging too much.

New retail price ceilings were also approved. They will be reduced initially to €0.29 per minute for outgoing calls, €0.08 for incoming. Text messages will be capped at €0.09, and data roaming costs limited to €0.70 per megabyte. By 2014 these costs will be further reduced to €0.19 per minute to make a call and €0.05 to receive. Text messages will be pegged at €0.06 and data downloads at €0.20 per megabyte.

The new rules will also help to protect consumers from unexpected ‘bill shocks’. From July 1 people travelling outside the EU will get a warning message when they get near 50 euros of charges in a month (excluding VAT) if the foreign network is compatible.

Speaking after voting for the agreement, Miss McClarkin said:

“I’m delighted to have voted for reducing phone charges for UK tourists travelling within the EU, as I know how much of a shock it can be to get home and get a huge unexpected phone bill a few weeks later.

“The agreement I voted for will ensure the cost of using a phone abroad comes down each year for the next 2 years, as well as capping data-roaming charges for the first time. This is great news for East Midlands residents holidaying within the EU, and a victory for consumers.”