Industry MEPs agree on caping wholesale prices for telecom networks use

Caps on the wholesale prices that telecom operators charge each other for using their networks were agreed by an industry committee in the European Parliament on Tuesday, bringing the abolition of roaming charges for cross-border calls a step closer.

The members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the Industry Committee agreed to cap at 0.03 euros per minute for voice call instead of the proposed 0.04 euro. Meanwhile, the MEPs reached an agreement on a gradually decreasing cap for data using, from 4 euros to 1 euro per gigabyte. Besides, the MEPs cap at 0.01 euro for every text message.

The legislative resolution was approved by 53 votes to five, with two abstentions.

The vote is another step towards the full abolition of retail roaming surcharges, which will enable consumers to use their mobile phones in other European Union countries just like at home without paying extra fees.

Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, who is steering the legislation through the European Parliament, said: "The Committee has today given a strong mandate for negotiations with member states. Our position has a single aim -- delivering 'Roam Like At Home' to all Europeans. Setting price caps closer to real cost of providing roaming access will do just that, but will also pave the way for a true gigabyte society by enabling markets to deliver higher data consumption."

"Consumers must benefit from competition from small and virtual telecoms operators too after next summer. All citizens must have access to digital services, which today means lower prices and bigger amounts of data," she said.

In the coming months, the European Parliament's negotiating team will negotiate with the Council of the EU, which consists of representatives from the EU member states in order to find an agreement.

According to the EU legislation, any agreement will need to be voted by the both co-legislators before entering into force. Endit