Brussels, 09/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - During a public hearing on mobile roaming on 8 February, the EPP Group at the European Parliament called for fair pricing. The current roaming regulation expires in June and the Parliament is currently examining a proposal from the European Commission for a new regulation to take over. The new legislation suggests new pricing ceilings and, for the first time, a ceiling for data downloading. MEPs were in favour of a new cap on roaming prices and discussed how appropriate it would be to foresee structural measures to guarantee correct prices for European citizens over the long term. “It is high time that we stop ripping off consumers. The roaming of data across borders and networks is technically no longer a costly exercise. All users have a right to fair pricing”, said Angelika Niebler (EPP, Germany), who hosted the debates. “It is frustrating that in the era of smartphones, consumers are still paying incredibly high rates when travelling in other EU countries. It is often a lot cheaper to take a taxi than to find the address online with your smartphone”, commented Pilar des Castillo, who coordinates the EPP Group within the committee on industry, research and energy. The ITRE committee's vote on the draft regulation is due 28 February. (IL/transl.jl)