Boost for holidaymakers as Brussels bans roaming charges on phone calls and texts anywhere in Europe saving up to £60 a year

  • MEPs today voted to ban roaming charges on mobile phone bills
  • From 2017 calls from anywhere in EU must cost the same as domestic bills
  • Ukip had made a last ditch to throw out the proposals in Strasbourg
  • MEP Roger Helmer claimed the plan would see domestic call costs rise

By Tom McTague, Deputy Political Editor for MailOnline

Published: 07:58 EST, 27 October 2015 | Updated: 08:12 EST, 27 October 2015

Members of the European Parliament today voted to ban mobile phone roaming charges - in a major boost to British holidaymakers.

Under proposals backed in Strasbourg, from 2017 British tourists in Europe will not be charged any more for using their phone than if they were in the UK.

Instead, phone users will pay the same price to make calls, send messages and use data as they would in the UK.

Under proposals backed in Strasbourg, from 2017 British tourists in Europe will not be charged any more for using their phone than if they were in the UK

Under proposals backed in Strasbourg, from 2017 British tourists in Europe will not be charged any more for using their phone than if they were in the UK

MEPs claimed the move is expected to save the average British holidaymaker £61 off their mobile phone bill each year.

From April next year surcharges on phone calls made when abroad will be capped at 3p a minute.

Text messages will only cost 1p more - with data capped at no more than 3p per megabyte more when abroad.

Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder said: 'The end of rip-off roaming fees is a massive win for British consumers. This shows what we can achieve when Britain plays a leading role in Europe.

'Driving down costs and making it easier to travel is what being in the EU is all about.'

Ukip MEPs had made a last-ditch bid to throw out the plans to end mobile phone roaming charges.

The party's outspoken MEP Roger Helmer tabled an amendment to kill the proposals, claiming that eliminating roaming charges will drive up bills overall.

Ukip MEP Roger Helmer (pictured) launched a last-minute bid to throw out plans to end mobile phone roaming charges for holiday makers

Ukip MEP Roger Helmer (pictured) launched a last-minute bid to throw out plans to end mobile phone roaming charges for holiday makers

Mr Helmer said the plan was unfair because it penalised those who do not travel.

He also said it would increase the power of the European Commission over British consumers.

'UKIP objects to the creation of further EU regulation, especially when the unelected Commission proposes bad law,' said Mr Helmer.

'The bottom line is the customer always pays, and while this regulation favours frequent travellers, we believe that telecom companies will compensate for their loss of revenue by bumping up charges for domestic users who mostly use their phone in the UK.'

Baroness Neville-Rolfe, the business minister, said last month the proposed deal 'shows that the UK can deliver real reform in the EU to produce real benefits to consumers in Britain.' 

 

Comments (78)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now