EC Director Cool on Data Roaming Price Cap

The European Commission (EC) is unlikely to impose a cap on data roaming charges - a move which could significantly bring down the cost of using WiFi broadband abroad.

Fabio Colasanti, the EC's director-general for the information society and media, told a London conference that "greater transparency" among mobile internet providers on their roaming prices, rather than stringent price limits, would be the recommended approach. This news is likely to disappoint many people who use the internet through laptop dongles and their mobile phones while overseas - particularly as the EC is recommending price caps for text messaging.

The telecoms expert said: "There is a widespread feeling that a wholesale cap should be avoided. It is an emerging market and there could be unintended consequences."

However, Mr Colosanti conceded that the problem of "bill shock" - which sees customers who download files on to their mobile while abroad being hit with unexpected bills for thousands of pounds - could require EC action. "At the moment, the concern is the bill shock that consumers receive," he added.

"Users often don't understand using data. The best idea, in my view, is if companies could say on devices how much data you are using, or give a fixed allowance on data roaming."