This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6620871.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Summer roaming cost cut at risk Summer roaming cost cut at risk
(about 3 hours later)
EU efforts to cut mobile roaming charges by summer have been thrown into jeopardy because MEPs and European governments disagree over the details. EU efforts to cut mobile roaming costs by summer have been thrown into doubt because MEPs and European governments cannot agree on the details.
Attempts to reach a compromise before a vote originally scheduled to be held in parliament next week have collapsed.Attempts to reach a compromise before a vote originally scheduled to be held in parliament next week have collapsed.
The vote has now been delayed and the timetable for securing a deal before the holidays is getting very tight.The vote has now been delayed and the timetable for securing a deal before the holidays is getting very tight.
MEPs and ministers have differed on how high to fix the price, and whether it would apply to all users automatically. MEPs and ministers have differed on how high to fix the price, and on whether all users would benefit automatically.
PROPOSED ROAMING CAPS Making a call Parliament opening bid: 40c European Commission: 44c Parliament compromise: 45c German EU presidency: 60c Industry (GSMA): 65c Receiving a call Parliament opening bid: 15c European Commission: 15c Parliament compromise: 20c German EU presidency: 30c Industry (GSMA): 35c Charges per minute, excluding VAT Case study: EU roaming law A compromise package put forward by parliamentary negotiators on Thursday set the maximum cost for making an international call on a foreign network at 45 euro cents (30p) and 20 cents (14p) for receiving a call, per minute.PROPOSED ROAMING CAPS Making a call Parliament opening bid: 40c European Commission: 44c Parliament compromise: 45c German EU presidency: 60c Industry (GSMA): 65c Receiving a call Parliament opening bid: 15c European Commission: 15c Parliament compromise: 20c German EU presidency: 30c Industry (GSMA): 35c Charges per minute, excluding VAT Case study: EU roaming law A compromise package put forward by parliamentary negotiators on Thursday set the maximum cost for making an international call on a foreign network at 45 euro cents (30p) and 20 cents (14p) for receiving a call, per minute.
The German government, representing EU member states, has proposed caps of 60 cents and 30 cents respectively.The German government, representing EU member states, has proposed caps of 60 cents and 30 cents respectively.
Many consumers currently pay one euro (68p) per minute, to make a call abroad.Many consumers currently pay one euro (68p) per minute, to make a call abroad.
Opting in and outOpting in and out
MEPs have also argued that the new "consumer protection tariff" should apply automatically to all telephone users, unless they opt for an alternative package, while governments have favoured an opt-in system. Up to now MEPs have also insisted that the new "consumer protection tariff" should apply automatically to all telephone users, unless they opt for an alternative package.
The parliament's proposed compromise now suggests introducing an initial period of three months during which consumers would have to opt in to benefit from the new tariffs. Governments have favoured an opt-in system.
The parliament's proposed compromise suggests introducing an initial period of three months during which consumers would have to opt in to benefit from the new tariffs.
After that they would been transferred to the new tariff automatically, unless they opted out.After that they would been transferred to the new tariff automatically, unless they opted out.
Instead of voting on the regulation next week, the parliament is now expected to vote in the week beginning 21 May, leaving up to three weeks for the two sides to come to a final agreement. Instead of voting on the regulation next week, the parliament is now expected to vote in the week beginning 21 May, which leaves two to three weeks for the two sides to come to a final agreement.
The member states could give their final approval at a meeting on 7 June, which would allow the regulation to come into force some time in July.The member states could give their final approval at a meeting on 7 June, which would allow the regulation to come into force some time in July.
'Higher charges'
But any further hitches along the way would see the holidays come and go before any new charges could apply.But any further hitches along the way would see the holidays come and go before any new charges could apply.
Some governments, including the UK, have argued that the European Parliament and European Commission are setting the price cap so low that telephone companies may respond by increasing the cost of domestic calls.
The UK is also in favour of a full opt-in system.
"An inflexible proposal which denies mobile phone users choice and could lead to much higher charges on our subsidised handsets is not on," British Industry Minister Margaret Hodge was quoted as saying on Thursday.