Brussels, 29/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - MEPs support Commissioner Reding's proposal to publish a regulation intended to cut mobile phone roaming charges which she considers excessive (see EUROPE 9162). British Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour hopes the action being taken by the Commission will push mobile phone operators to reduce prices before the summer. In particular, Mr Harbour supports proposals to remove roaming charges altogether when receiving calls while travelling abroad in the EU, saying, “I had hoped it could be left to market forces to bring down roaming prices but most network operators across Europe have been unwilling … so it's time for us to act”. British Liberal Democrat MEP Sharon Bowles is especially pleased to see “home pricing” being supported by the Commission, because this “will fully open up European markets to proper and fair competition as European mobile operators will have to compete with each other on equal terms”.
The European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) is far less enthusiastic, judging the Commission initiative hasty. “A real debate and a consultation among all stakeholders is essential before any measure on international mobile roaming is decided as it would have far reaching consequences for the e-communications market,” it says in a press release. Operators consider that the international roaming market should depend on the regulatory framework on electronic communications and should not be subject to separate regulation, since this could “bring uncertainty for operators”. “Such a heavy intervention, at both the wholesale and retail levels, would be unprecedented in the mobile market and appears disproportionate. It risks hampering the competitiveness of the industry,” said Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director. The Association considers e-communications operators are already providing a wide range of competitive offers, tailored to various customers' needs.