T-Mobile will slash the cost of using a mobile phone abroad today with the launch of a flat-rate roaming service across Europe and North America which it reckons will halve calling charges. The move is expected to spark a price war as its rival, O2, plans its own flat-rate offer in time for the summer holiday season.
The new tariff comes as the high price of making calls abroad has been targeted by the European commission. Earlier this year, Viviane Reding, the information society and media commissioner, accused the industry of "punishing" travellers. She plans to produce EU legislation scrapping international roaming charges in July.
European travellers are wary of using their phones abroad. Three-quarters of mobile users took their phones with them on trips last year, according to an Informa survey, but only 35% made a call. From June 1, T-Mobile will charge travellers in 29 European countries, Canada and the United States a flat 55p a minute to make and receive calls. The service will apply to contract and pay-as-you-go customers without them having to sign up. T-Mobile reckons pre-pay customers will save 45% when in Europe and 54% in America.
Full article: http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/sto...770064,00.html
The new tariff comes as the high price of making calls abroad has been targeted by the European commission. Earlier this year, Viviane Reding, the information society and media commissioner, accused the industry of "punishing" travellers. She plans to produce EU legislation scrapping international roaming charges in July.
European travellers are wary of using their phones abroad. Three-quarters of mobile users took their phones with them on trips last year, according to an Informa survey, but only 35% made a call. From June 1, T-Mobile will charge travellers in 29 European countries, Canada and the United States a flat 55p a minute to make and receive calls. The service will apply to contract and pay-as-you-go customers without them having to sign up. T-Mobile reckons pre-pay customers will save 45% when in Europe and 54% in America.
Full article: http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/sto...770064,00.html