The EU is to place caps on charges for using mobile broadband when abroad, in an effort to stop so-called 'bill shocks'.
Using mobile broadband when in other EU countries is set to become cheaper, following a deal between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
MEPs reached an agreement with the Czech Republic EU Presidency on extending the 2007 roaming regulations earlier in the week. The proposal still needs the backing of the whole parliament and council, but if it receives this then using mobile broadband - as well as calling and texting with a mobile phone - will become cheaper in the bloc.
Under the proposed rules, to come into effect from July 1st, mobile network operators will not be able to set prices above certain ceilings. A maximum of €1.00 per megabyte, excluding VAT, will come into effect, falling to €0.80 from July 1st 2010 and to €0.50 a year later.
Additionally, consumers will be able to opt for a free maximum financial limit from March 1st 2010, which will stop them receiving so-called 'bill shocks'. There have been a number of reports of customers using mobile broadband services abroad and then being hit with bills amounting to thousands of pounds.
Parliament's rapporteur Adina-Ioana Valean commented: "I am hopeful that all parties will endorse a concrete first-reading agreement so that European consumers can fully benefit from this new regulation by the beginning of this summer."
