Graham Watson: "No extra charges for receiving phone calls abroad"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Jul 2006

"The European Commission's proposal to cut mobile phone roaming charges is a good step in an awkward moment. All eyes are on the European Parliament, which the citizens now expect quickly to see the proposal through. The Group I lead will discuss the proposal at our first meeting in the autumn" said ALDE's Leader Graham Watson, MEP.

"Consumers have been promised by the Commission that if all is well they will feel the difference next summer. This is not true: no matter how quickly the legislative procedure unfolds, the Commission proposal gives the industry 6 more months to cash in. This extra period is unnecessary and the text does not go far enough to protect consumers' interests. Not only should roaming charges be corrected as soon as possible, but prices should be fair; and to that end there should be no extra charges for receiving phone calls while abroad. If the EU wants to show its citizens its worth, it should go this extra mile".