Brussels, 27/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - From 1 July 2013, the European Union's new rules on roaming will take effect. For the consumer, this means a 36% fall in the tariffs currently paid for downloading data (capped at 45 cents per megabyte). Making calls will cost a maximum of 24 cents/minute + VAT (i.e. 17% down), while receiving calls will cost 7 cents/minute + VAT at most (12.5% reduction), and sending a text message will cost 8 cents (+ VAT) at most (11% reduction). Since 2007, successive measures by the European Union on roaming charges have managed to bring down retail prices by over 80% for consumers, and the final aim targeted is to do away with roaming costs all together. “The latest price cuts put more money in your pocket for summer, and are a critical step towards getting rid of these premiums once and for all”, said Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for the Digital Agenda. (IL/transl.jl)