Lords backs mobile roaming charge cap

THE HOUSE OF LORDS has come out in support of the German EU President's call for a cap on inter-operator mobile phone roaming charges of 30 €urocents (20.5p) a minute.

The Lords say this should 'significantly' reduce roaming charges for customers throughout Europe. A committee has been conducting an inquiry since January and is expected to produce a full report in April.

The interim statement said: "The EU Commission is right to attempt to tackle this issue as excessive roaming charges act as a barrier to the functioning of the single market both in terms of the actual cost of phone services and more widely by the extra costs they impose on small and medium size businesses attempting to operate across the EU.

"There is a 'strong case' for wholesale regulation of roaming charges with the wholesale cap of 30 Eurocents per minute being an appropriate level."

Committee Chairman Lord Freeman added: "The fact that so many companies have taken steps to reduce roaming charges once faced with the prospect of EU regulations suggests charges have been excessive in the past."

The full Lords report is due for publication after €aster. µ