Broadband News

EC calls for transparency on data roaming charges

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Mobile phone companies providing broadband access need to be clearer about their data charges abroad, the European Commission has said.

Speaking at a Westminster e-forum yesterday, Fabio Colasanti, director general for the information society and media, said that while the Commission was loath to impose legislation, providers needed to do more to ensure that consumers don’t run up massive bills abroad.

“There is a widespread feeling that a wholesale cap should be avoided. It is an emerging market and there could be unintended consequences,” he said.

“At the moment, the concern is the bill shock that consumers receive. Users often don’t understand using data. The best idea, in my view, is if companies could say on devices how much data you are using, or give a fixed allowance on data roaming.”

Earlier this month, a Manchester man came home to a £31,500 bill after downloading some music and an episode of Prison Break using his mobile broadband connection abroad.

Although his solicitor managed to have the bill reduced to £229, the EC is keen for providers to avoid such cases.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “Despite a recent reduction in data roaming costs - at the request of the EU - it is still very expensive to take your mobile broadband connection abroad, and downloading TV programmes or movies will cost you a packet.

“If you don’t know how much it’s going to cost you, do your downloading before you go and leave your modem at home,” he advised.

Related article - Hidden costs of mobile broadband

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