Roaming mobile costs targeted

IF you’ve been shocked at the cost of using your UK mobile phone in France then help could be at hand.

Many mobile operators add a hefty premium on the price of using your phone abroad, and these roaming charges can be very different between countries.

For example, the EU launched a website to help people keep costs down after finding Brits, for example, paid 40% more than a French person when making or receiving calls in Italy.

The EU has said the mobile phone companies have not done enough to help customers and has promised to bring in legislation to tackle the problem.

The plan will force companies to charge no more than normal, domestic cross-network prices and could be in operation by 2007.

In the meantime a couple of tips include telling friends you are going abroad and ask them not to call you as you can be charged to receive a call, and if you are in a country for a longer period of time buy a local SIM card.

Update May 2012: Mobile roaming charges to get cheaper