Talkers’ right to roam

The end is nigh for high cost roaming charges after the European Parliament’s industry committee voted yesterday by 45 to three in favour of a draft EU regulation that would set a retail price cap on all mobile phone roaming charges. By the summer time (hopefully) there will be a maximum price of 40 cent per minute (excluding VAT) for calls made from anywhere in the EU and 15 cent for calls received while travelling in other EU states. The committee has also backed a motion supporting plans to force mobile firms to send text messages to users outlining the roaming charges they face when travelling overseas.