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29/03/2012
EU To Cap Mobile Roaming Charges Before Summer
The price of mobile phone roaming charges is to be capped by the summer.
The European commission has made the decision in its latest move towards reducing the gap between domestic and foreign call rates. A gap which it hope to reduce to zero by 2015.
The cost of data services on smartphones will be capped at €0.70 a megabyte, far less than most carriers in the EU charge. Prices on voice calls will also be capped, falling from €0.35 to €0.29 in July and €0.19 in 2014. Text message prices will fall from €0.11 to €0.06.
The European commission first tackled what it called the “roaming rip-off” when it imposed a maximum rate on mobile network operators in 2007. Operators were said to be making excessive profits by charging more than triple the normal rate for calls made while in another EU country, and up to five times for calls received.
Today the gap between domestic and "roaming" call charges has fallen by about 75% compared with 2007. Now, after talks between MEPs, EU governments and the commission, a final agreement is expected in May from the European parliament and member countries for further cuts from July.
The news has received a mixed response from mobile networks.
A spokesman for Three said: "This move by EU policymakers is great news for consumers and will help end the gulf that exists between what people pay at home and what they pay when they are abroad in Europe."
However the UK owners of Orange and T-Mobile, Everything Everywhere, said: "We are disappointed … as we feel competition, not the continued use of price caps, is the most effective way to bring down, and keep down, international roaming pricing. Data roaming prices have dropped by 78% over the last three years, and this was achieved without a regulatory framework in place.
(H)
The European commission has made the decision in its latest move towards reducing the gap between domestic and foreign call rates. A gap which it hope to reduce to zero by 2015.
The cost of data services on smartphones will be capped at €0.70 a megabyte, far less than most carriers in the EU charge. Prices on voice calls will also be capped, falling from €0.35 to €0.29 in July and €0.19 in 2014. Text message prices will fall from €0.11 to €0.06.
The European commission first tackled what it called the “roaming rip-off” when it imposed a maximum rate on mobile network operators in 2007. Operators were said to be making excessive profits by charging more than triple the normal rate for calls made while in another EU country, and up to five times for calls received.
Today the gap between domestic and "roaming" call charges has fallen by about 75% compared with 2007. Now, after talks between MEPs, EU governments and the commission, a final agreement is expected in May from the European parliament and member countries for further cuts from July.
The news has received a mixed response from mobile networks.
A spokesman for Three said: "This move by EU policymakers is great news for consumers and will help end the gulf that exists between what people pay at home and what they pay when they are abroad in Europe."
However the UK owners of Orange and T-Mobile, Everything Everywhere, said: "We are disappointed … as we feel competition, not the continued use of price caps, is the most effective way to bring down, and keep down, international roaming pricing. Data roaming prices have dropped by 78% over the last three years, and this was achieved without a regulatory framework in place.
(H)
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30 June 2015
Mobile Roaming Charges To End
British visitors to Europe will no longer be subject to additional fees when using their mobile phone abroad. From June 2017, mobile roaming charges will no loner apply within the EU when making calls, sending text messages or using the internet.
Mobile Roaming Charges To End
British visitors to Europe will no longer be subject to additional fees when using their mobile phone abroad. From June 2017, mobile roaming charges will no loner apply within the EU when making calls, sending text messages or using the internet.
21 April 2015
300 New Jobs Announced In Cardiff
A Cardiff-based call centre has announced the creation of 300 new jobs. Firstsource Solutions currently employs 800 people at Cardiff Bay and is to create new sales and customers service jobs in both its inbound and outbound departments. Making the announcement the company said that it is "delighted" to be able to bring new employment to Cardiff.
300 New Jobs Announced In Cardiff
A Cardiff-based call centre has announced the creation of 300 new jobs. Firstsource Solutions currently employs 800 people at Cardiff Bay and is to create new sales and customers service jobs in both its inbound and outbound departments. Making the announcement the company said that it is "delighted" to be able to bring new employment to Cardiff.
05 March 2015
Police Release CCTV Footage After 6-Year-Old Boy Is Sexually Assaulted
Police have released CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to following after a six-year-old boy was sexually attacked at a community centre in central London. The incident is believed to have happened when he went to use the toilet at the Calthorpe Project on 1 July 2014.
Police Release CCTV Footage After 6-Year-Old Boy Is Sexually Assaulted
Police have released CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to following after a six-year-old boy was sexually attacked at a community centre in central London. The incident is believed to have happened when he went to use the toilet at the Calthorpe Project on 1 July 2014.
26 June 2014
NHS Failures Killed Three-Year-Old Boy - Report
A boy died from a treatable condition because four separate NHS organisations made repeated mistakes in his treatment, an investigation concludes. The family of Sam Morrish suffered a further injustice because the Primary Care Trust (PCT), NHS Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Cluster, failed to fully investigate the three-year-old's death.
NHS Failures Killed Three-Year-Old Boy - Report
A boy died from a treatable condition because four separate NHS organisations made repeated mistakes in his treatment, an investigation concludes. The family of Sam Morrish suffered a further injustice because the Primary Care Trust (PCT), NHS Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Cluster, failed to fully investigate the three-year-old's death.
14 August 2013
999 Sex Caller Jailed
A man who made obscene and sexually explicit calls to police 999 operators has been jailed. Aston Jordan, from Slade Road in Erdington, was sentenced to six months by Birmingham magistrates.
999 Sex Caller Jailed
A man who made obscene and sexually explicit calls to police 999 operators has been jailed. Aston Jordan, from Slade Road in Erdington, was sentenced to six months by Birmingham magistrates.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
