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EU to warn firms on text charging EU to warn firms on text charging
(about 4 hours later)
Europe's mobile phone operators are to be warned to cut the cost of texting and internet access while customers are overseas or face regulation.Europe's mobile phone operators are to be warned to cut the cost of texting and internet access while customers are overseas or face regulation.
A text sent while abroad can cost as much as 49 pence ($0.95) and a study found that transferring 1 megabyte (MB) on average costs £4.11.A text sent while abroad can cost as much as 49 pence ($0.95) and a study found that transferring 1 megabyte (MB) on average costs £4.11.
Mobile phone companies have begun to cut costs, with O2, Vodafone and 3 lowering some tariffs.Mobile phone companies have begun to cut costs, with O2, Vodafone and 3 lowering some tariffs.
The warning will come from EU Commissioner Viviane Reding.The warning will come from EU Commissioner Viviane Reding.
Dramatic cuts Roaming the internet abroad has so far been treated as a businessman's perk which companies will pick up the huge bill for Rory Cellan-JonesBBC Technology Correspondent
The commissioner will be speaking at the GSM Mobile World Conference in Barcelona.The commissioner will be speaking at the GSM Mobile World Conference in Barcelona.
Before the meeting she told the BBC that firms have until 1 July to lower prices to acceptable levels.Before the meeting she told the BBC that firms have until 1 July to lower prices to acceptable levels.
"I urge the industry to bring down prices in a dramatic way," she said."I urge the industry to bring down prices in a dramatic way," she said.
"If the industry does what it claims it can do, bringing prices down to normal, then of course, regulation will not be necessary.""If the industry does what it claims it can do, bringing prices down to normal, then of course, regulation will not be necessary."
Cheaper roaming Business perk
The new generation of phones have made it easier to surf the internet and email, but it is still an expensive option.
"Roaming the internet abroad has so far been treated as a businessman's perk which companies will pick up the huge bill for," said BBC Technology Correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones.
"But it is becoming a big consumer thing and consumers are getting cross about how much it costs."
The mobile phone industry said costs are coming down quickly, particularly for mobile internet access.The mobile phone industry said costs are coming down quickly, particularly for mobile internet access.
"Accessing the internet and web pages while you're roaming around Europe using a mobile phone can be expensive," said Tom Phillips, head of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the GSM Association."Accessing the internet and web pages while you're roaming around Europe using a mobile phone can be expensive," said Tom Phillips, head of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the GSM Association.
"But it's a very new service, it's growing in popularity and the prices are coming down very quickly.""But it's a very new service, it's growing in popularity and the prices are coming down very quickly."
Last year the EU adopted regulations that forced mobile phone companies to lower the costs of making calls while outside a caller's home country.Last year the EU adopted regulations that forced mobile phone companies to lower the costs of making calls while outside a caller's home country.
On average those "roaming" charges were halved.On average those "roaming" charges were halved.