EU launches inquiry into mobile data roaming fees

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said Europeans are paying too much for mobile data services outside their native country, vowing to take action by the end of the year. Reding expressed concerns over the wide range of text messaging and data roaming prices cited in a report assembled by the European Regulators Group, which collected data from 150 European operators between April and September 2007. "We will watch developments very closely and respond appropriately by the end of 2008," Reding said. Roaming charges for mobile voice services dropped as much as 60 percent after the European Commission capped fees in September. According to research firm Evalueserve, international roaming accounted for between 10 percent and 18 percent of operator revenue prior to the EU legislation.

For more on the EU inquiry:
- read this Associated Press article

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