Brussels, 23/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following the European Parliament (EP) economic and monetary affairs committee vote, the committee for the internal market and consumer protection moved, on 22 March, to the vote on international mobile phone charges (“roaming”), introduced by Joseph Muscat (PES, Malta). Although the committee essentially responsible for this is the industry, research and energy committee, the vote had raised a number of expectations. It will influence the debates during the next parliamentary plenary session debate in May. Although Muscat had tried to find the right balance in his report between consumer protection and industrial interests, he declared that he was disappointed by the result of the vote. He highlighted the European Commission's desire to see an across-the-board reduction in operators' tariffs and regretted that parliamentarians from his committee did not defend consumers' interests enough. The opt-out system, defended by Mr Muscat and Commissioner Viviane Reding, was rejected in favour of the opt-in, which obliges consumers to request their operator to switch to new Union tariffs. The new system will only automatically apply for new customers and those changing their provider. The market is already saturated (penetration rates stand at 103%) and there will therefore be few new customers. It is rather unlikely that operators advertise these new prices. Muscat said that the opt-in “will not help protect the most vulnerable consumers”, adding that if “we are moving towards lower prices…they are trying to hide the benefits to industry from the consumer”. Mr Muscat did not conceal the fact that he wanted to raise the question at the next plenary session. Despite this disappointing result, he welcomed the adoption of the “push sms system”, which highlighted price transparency by warning consumers by “sms” of any network and price changes when travelling to another member state. National regulatory authorities will also have to ensure follow-up of operators, and ensure that they do not make up for the price reduction with domestic price increases. An internet price simulator will enable consumers to compare operator prices. The results of the Council work group, and the industry, research and energy committee vote on 12 April are now being awaited. (gc)