Many companies have offices based abroad, or have clients who they must regularly make trips to see. The cost of travel and accommodation are already expensive but mobile phone charges from the UK to Europe and vice versa are also costing business huge sums of money.
But the European Commission is now in talks to scrap roaming charges for mobile phones, thus making calls, texts and internet charges much cheaper. The plans need to be agreed by all 28 members of the European Union (EU) before anything can be introduced. But if the plans are accepted the changes are likely to begin to come into effect from summer 2014.
Mobile phone networks would have to charge customers the same price for all calls within the EU under the new plans or allow them to switch network providers whilst they are abroad (without having to get a new sim card).
Speaking of the need for change, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission said: “Further substantial progress towards a European single market for telecoms is essential for Europe’s strategic interests and economic progress.
“For the telecoms sector itself and for citizens who are frustrated that they do not have full and fair access to internet and mobile services.”
With many people travelling abroad for meetings, businesses will welcome the move. But also holiday makers will benefit as sometimes charges are too high on a mobile phone, making using a good old payphone the cheapest option to make a call home.
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