Watson welcomes stricter "roaming" rules for Brits abroad

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Jul 2010

Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has welcomed the introduction of stricter rules that mean mobile phone companies must offer customers an even fairer price when they use their phone in another EU country.

The EU first brought in a cap on roaming charges in 2007 after mobile phone companies refused to change their policy of charging several times the standard rate for making and receiving calls. Today a new cap of 39 cents (33p) a minute for making a call and 15 cents (13p) a minute for receiving a call was introduced.

In addition to this, customers now have the right to set an automatic cut off point for mobile internet use after some have been landed with bills of thousands of pounds after unwittingly running up data usage.

Watson said it was a victory for consumers and fairness;

"The move means that British holiday-makers and those working in another EU country will not be charged an arm and a leg for using their phone.

"I don't agree with dictating to businesses, but when multinational companies keep prices artificially high at the expense of ordinary European citizens, I believe action needs to be taken.

"The EU is once again acting in support of consumer fairness. I hope mobile phone companies will realise that they can no longer count on making extortionate profits from people travelling in Europe."

Watson pointed out that mobile phone companies have previously found a way to work with the Commission on other issues;

"Last year, companies agreed to work together to create a universal mobile phone charger to end the needless waste and expense to mobile users.

"This consensual way forward was agreed after discussions with the Commission. I hope mobile phone companies embrace this approach and work with policy makers in the future to offer customers a fair deal."