Dempsey Lauds New Roaming Regulations - "Will Benefit Irish Mobile Phone Users"

Last week, Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources welcomed the agreement between European Union Telecommunications Ministers to bring in regulations to protect consumers from excessively high mobile phone roaming charges.

The new regulations introduce price regulation at the wholesale and retail level as well as placing obligations on operators to provide transparent information on roaming charges to their customers.

"Since coming into office I have highlighted the issue of mobile phone roaming charges. I have strongly supported the need to protect consumers from excessive roaming charges and have consistently supported the need for Regulation at E.U. level," commented Minister Dempsey.

Speaking from the Council meeting in Luxembourg at which the regulation was agreed, Minister of State John Browne said; "This Regulation is a clear example of the E.U. working for consumers. The cross-border nature of mobile phone roaming meant co-ordinated action at E.U. level was necessary to address high roaming charges within the EU and the Irish Government actively engaged with the Commission to ensure that consumers would benefit from lower mobile roaming costs."