New price cap for EU roaming rates

Holidaymakers using their mobile phones abroad are in for a pleasant surprise this summer as the EU brings in a lower cap on mobile roaming charges.

Data, voice calls and text messages will all be cheaper to use while outside the customer's home network in the European Union from July 1st, as mobile operators are forced to charge 36 per cent less for data, a 17 per cent reduction is applied to calls made while roaming on another network, and text messages costs are cut by 11 per cent compared with 2012.

The further cut in the cost of data roaming means it now costs up to 91 per cent less to check email and get online through your phone than in did in 2007.

"The EU has to be relevant to people's lives. The latest price cuts put more money in your pocket for summer, and are a critical step towards getting rid of these premiums once and for all," commission vice president Neelie Kroes said. "This is good for both consumers and companies, because it takes fear out of the market, and it grows the market."

Operator can also choose to offer lower rates, or eliminate roaming charges completely for some services.