Member Article

Roaming charge reductions welcomed by Deloitte

The decision by European lawmakers to make calls and roaming data-downloads cheaper for travellers has been welcomed by business advisory firm Deloitte.

There is currently no limit on prices for mobile data services, but under a new European agreement, the cost of data will be capped on 1 July 2012, and will then fall in stages until July 2012.

Commenting, Rob Seldon, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications at Deloitte in the North East said: “Stimulating the economy and supporting businesses’ efforts to grow is all about generating the right conditions, and these new rules will play a part.

“In this context, any moves to reduce the costs of doing business abroad will come as a welcome boost to North East firms.

From the 1 July 2012. data services will be capped at 70 cents, and will fall in stages to 45 cents in 2013 and 20 cents on 1 July 2012. Voice calls will be called at 29 cents from 1 July 2012, falling to 19 cents from July 2014 - down from the current maximum of 35 cents.

Text messages will fall from the maximum of 11 cents to 9 cents on 1 July and 6 cents on 1 July 2014.

As UK companies focus on cutting costs and increasing cash flow, this will be especially welcome to those who conduct business abroad.

Mr Seldon continued: “We also know that expanding into new markets in Europe and further afield remain high on the priority list for local firms.

“Indeed it is an essential part of many companies’ growth strategy as they look to new expansion and diversification as a means to ride out the tough economic climate.

“As businesses look to the continent to establish and grow markets, they will be exposed to further costs.”

New regulations set to come into force on 1 July 2014 will also allow customers to buy domestic and roaming services separately from different operators whilst keeping the same phone number. They will not be charged for switching providers, and their home country provider will be obliged to inform them of this right.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .