29 June 2007 Travellers 'to be stung' on roaming charges this summer
Despite a recent vote in the European Parliament for a pricing cap on roaming fees levied by mobile phone firms for calls made within the EU, Britons are set to be hit by millions of pounds in charges this summer.
Financial services comparison firm moneysupermarket.com notes that the pricing cap will not be implemented in most EU countries until the 30th July, with holidaymakers heading abroad before this date subject to "extortionate" fees for calling home.
Rob Barnes, head of mobiles at the company, said: "While the cap becomes law on 30th June, the operators are not obliged to do anything until 30th July and even then it can be spun out until 30th September - long after most holiday makers have returned home and mobile companies have made the most money that they legally can."
He advised Britons to get in touch with their network and ask for the best deals on phone calls home from Europe in advance of travel, while recommending global Sim cards for frequent travellers and subscription to roaming networks for those who travel overseas less often.
Earlier this month, mobile phone network 3 claimed that it has already reduced call rates for Britons telephoning home from Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden, countries with 3 sister networks.
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