Commenting on the proposed plans to scrap all mobile roaming charges across the European Union completely in 2016, Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, says: “This is a common-sense move from the EU, but the lengthy two-year hiatus before roaming charges are finally killed off may dampen the celebrations.
“There is limited protection from high bills for using your mobile phone in the EU right now, but our research shows that 12% of Brits have arrived home from trips to EU countries to massive phone bills caused by roaming – averaging £120 each on top of their typical monthly bills.
“Scrapping roaming charges in EU countries will better protect us from bill shock, and the doors will be open to foreign networks looking for a piece of the market in Britain, which could mean cheaper mobile deals too.
“But mobile networks won’t be popping the champagne corks, as scrapping roaming charges altogether will dent their bottom lines. And, because they’re unlikely to go down without a fight, we could see further delays to these changes being bought in.
“Even if the proposals become a reality, our concern would be that consumers may lose out if networks look to claw back the money lost through ending roaming by adding to all mobile bills.
“And as well as being wary when using your mobile abroad in the EU before these changes do come in, Brits still need to be extremely careful when using mobiles in the rest of the world where there is even less protection.”
Katherine Moss
Phone: 020 3021 5893
Email: katherine.moss@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
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Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
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