| (http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2012/3/28/1332958037931/A-man-talks-on-an-HTC-sma-008.jpg) | Under new rules agreed by the European Parliament, consumers will pay no more than 29 cents (24p) per minute to make a call and 70 cents (59p) per megabyte for data downloads across Europe. Many customers have faced bills for thousands of pounds after falling foul of current high roaming charges. "Consumers are fed up with being ripped off," said commissioner Neelie Kroes. The European Commission vice-president for the Digital Agenda added: "The new roaming deal gives us a long-term structural solution with lower prices, more choice and a new smart approach for data and internet browsing." Currently, the limit on what can be charged for making a call is about 30p and sending a text 9p, but there is no cap on what companies can charge per megabyte of data. Under the new rules the cost of sending a text will fall to 7.5p. By July 2014 customers will also be given the option to shop around for the best deal and sign up for a separate mobile contract using their existing number when going abroad. They will also have the option to directly select a local mobile network in the country they are visiting. The new roaming charges will progressively go down and by July 2014 the aim is that roaming consumers will pay no more than 19 cents (15p) to make a call and 20 cents (16p) per megabyte of data. The cost of receiving a call will fall to 5 cents (4p) and sending a text to 6 cents (5p). For citizens travelling outside the EU, there are plans for better information about roaming charges to avoid "bill shock". From July this year, people will get a warning text message, email or pop-up window when they are nearing 50 euros (41pound) worth of data downloads The new rules come at a time when users are consuming ever more data on mobiles and tablet devices. As 4G networks offer even faster download speeds, data consumption is expected to rise exponentially. |
That has nothing to do with EU Roaming fees.. :trust:I meant that never mind what would the cellphone companies will do, the people will still find the cellphones as the main communications and it would causes and either if it's in extortionate prices and everything, they would still use it.
As said in the other topic, people are using more and more free methods of communication such as Skype and Ping (on BlackBerry).. These ofcourse will affect the prices by the old traditional calling & smsing.. they won't make much more money, so they probably just higher the prices sooner or later, as stated in this topic.
It won't take such an long time before they get highered anyways..
Well, yeah, soon all the communication softwares as "What's Up", "Skype", "FaceBook" and a lot more will take the place of the regular calls from cellphone to other phone. It's cheaper and much useful.
And especially that is what these phone companies won't like, which is understandable..
They won't make much more money, because free software took over.