Council of Europe to rule on data roaming

Viviane Reding wants a reduction in European mobile roaming charges

The Council of European Union telecoms ministers is meeting today to discuss plans on SMS and data roaming regulations. The meeting is expected to produce the outline of a political agreement on roaming charges.

Telecoms minister Viviane Reding, who will be presenting on behalf of the European Commission, is also expected to push ahead with rules on the EU's Future of the Internet, broadband for all and telecoms regulation plans.

The Commission plans to cut the cost of sending text messages while travelling in Europe, and has suggested a retail cap of €0.11 on roaming text messages. The current average is €0.29.

It will also push for a €1 per megabyte wholesale cap on data roaming charges, and better visibility and control over data roaming charges for consumers.

In addition, the Commission has proposed to extend the duration of the current regulation of voice roaming charges - the cost of making and receiving a mobile phone call while travelling abroad - by three more years from 2010 to 2013. The meeting today is likely to enforce these plans.

If agreements are made, the rules on data roaming are likely to come into effect by next summer.