Germany proposes mobile roaming price caps
Germany, who currently hold the European Union’s six-month presidency, have proposed the capping of mobile phone roaming charges in the EU.
In basic terms, the proposal would require each mobile operator to offer a plan, named the ‘consumer protection tariff’, that don’t exceed €0.50 per minute, with calls received outside the home country not costing more than €0.25.
Viviane Reding, EU’s telecommunications commissioner sponsoring the roaming plan, wants to have the regulation in place by July. The UK and France have led a group of EU governments opposed to the plan, saying that it doesn’t give mobile operators the opportunity to provide their own special offers.
Mobile operators including Vodafone have complained that the proposal isn’t necessary as they’re already reducing prices. For example, Vodafone say that their Passport Plan has led to a 50% price decrease.
Of course, the mobile operators won’t be overly happy with this kind of proposal, as it would likely shave a significant amount from their profit margins.
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