Europe to end mobile phone roaming charges

The European Commission is proposing to scrap mobile phone roaming charges across Europe as part of a raft of measures to reform the telecoms market. The Commission described the reforms as "the most ambitious plan in 26 years of telecoms market reform".

It said the measures will reduce consumer charges and simplify red tape for mobile companies. The proposals must be approved by the 28 EU members and European lawmakers before they can be put into effect.

Analysts say Europe is falling behind in broadband infrastructure, while telecom companies struggle with declining revenues.

Under the plans, companies would be banned from charging for incoming calls from July 2014. All other roaming charges would be scrapped by 2016.

Mobile providers will then either have to charge customers the same prices for phone calls across the EU, or allow them to switch providers for the period they are abroad, without changing their European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the proposed reforms were good for customers and operators.

"Further substantial progress towards a European single market for telecoms is essential for Europe's strategic interests and economic progress," he said. "For the telecoms sector itself and for citizens who are frustrated that they do not have full and fair access to internet and mobile services."

The plan also includes measures to harmonise regulation across all 28 EU member states.

The Commission said that currently the industry still operates on the basis of 28 national markets, rather than one unified market, meaning customers and companies face differing prices and rules.

BBC