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Mobile phone fees set to be cut | Mobile phone fees set to be cut |
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Callers to UK mobile phones could see cheaper bills from 2011 after a ruling by telecoms regulator Ofcom. | Callers to UK mobile phones could see cheaper bills from 2011 after a ruling by telecoms regulator Ofcom. |
It has cut the cost mobile phone firms can charge for connecting a call from another network or landline from 4.3 pence per minute to 0.5p by 2015. | |
Ofcom has also issued new rules to make it quicker and easier to switch mobile phone providers. | Ofcom has also issued new rules to make it quicker and easier to switch mobile phone providers. |
Customers should, by 2011, be able to change mobile providers in one working day rather than two. | Customers should, by 2011, be able to change mobile providers in one working day rather than two. |
In addition, mobile phone companies will have to issue users with the Pac code they need in order to keep their existing mobile number by text message within a maximum of two hours, Ofcom said. | In addition, mobile phone companies will have to issue users with the Pac code they need in order to keep their existing mobile number by text message within a maximum of two hours, Ofcom said. |
Currently, some mobile phone companies only issue these codes by letter, which can mean switching takes several days. | Currently, some mobile phone companies only issue these codes by letter, which can mean switching takes several days. |
On the matter of mobile phone charges, Ofcom said it would mean cheaper calls to mobiles for the more than 32 million households and firms with a landline. | On the matter of mobile phone charges, Ofcom said it would mean cheaper calls to mobiles for the more than 32 million households and firms with a landline. |
The regulator sets these charges every five years. | The regulator sets these charges every five years. |
Its latest ruling follows instructions from the European Commission last year that charges should reflect only the cost of establishing connection. | Its latest ruling follows instructions from the European Commission last year that charges should reflect only the cost of establishing connection. |
The charges are understood to currently make up 14p in every pound consumers pay on calls to mobile phones. | The charges are understood to currently make up 14p in every pound consumers pay on calls to mobile phones. |