Brussels, 01/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 31 July, the European Commission endorsed the proposal by the Dutch telecoms regulator (ACM) concerning fixed and mobile termination rates, the fees that operators charge each other to deliver calls from other networks. The proposal, put to the Commission on 2 July, will bring down termination rates below the levels fixed by most of the other member states. Given that termination rates ultimately influence call prices paid by end users, and Dutch consumers already pay amongst the highest prices for phone calls in Europe, ACM's decision is welcomed by the Commission. It will have a positive effect on consumers and businesses in the Netherlands and will help to create the necessary conditions for completing the telecoms single market, the Commission is pleased to state. “This proposal brings the Netherlands into line with other European countries, which is the fair and right thing to do”, states the commissioner responsible for the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes. The new tariffs will take effect on 1 September 2013 and will, on average, be equal to half the current price, for mobile calls (1.019 eurocents per minute as opposed to 2.40 eurocents at present) and fixed calls (0.108 eurocents compared to 0.37 eurocents at present). (IL/transl.jl)