July 9, 2006
EU to force mobile operators to slash roaming charges
Despite a fierce lobbying campaign by the telecoms industry, the European Commission is poised to force operators to slash the cost of mobile phone calls while abroad, officials say, reports the AFP.
"Upset that operators have ignored warnings to cut so-called "roaming" rates, the
European Union's executive arm is to carry out its threat to introduce measures aimed at cutting prices in half.
... Controversial new regulations to push prices lower, should be unveiled on Wednesday, which the industry has fought tooth-and-nail to avoid.
... Critics warned that the rule could have encouraged consumers to import SIM cards -- which, inserted into a mobile phone, manage which networks the caller can use and at what price -- from countries with the lowest rates."
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