So the European Union has decided to act on the farce that is Data Roaming within the EU Zone, and in it’s first stage, putting an initial cap of €50 (~£44) on the maximum data bill that a user can get via a Mobile Phone – with people being able to set a custom limit if needed.
The €50/~£44 cap goes into effect on 1st July for non preset limits, with a warning going off once you hit 80% of the data allocation.
Note that this is only within the EU. Go beyond it’s borders and once again – you’re on your own with the massively stupid data bills that are possible to rack up
EU Commisioner spokesman Jonathan Todd indicated this might reduce the cost of roaming within the EU
“This measure is likely to bring down the cost of data roaming, because if people stick to their own cash limits and find they don’t get much access to the internet for their money, the tendency will be to bring down prices so you get more surfing for your money,” he said.
It depends to me if the mobile phone firm choose to remain greedy. Alas mobile firms still think to themselves as operators and not providers, and thus will still attempt to stick whatever they feel like on a consumer the moment they move out their home markets (for example, O2-UK Charge an idiot £3/Mb within the EU, £6 everywhere else – whilst Orange charge an idiot are at £3/£7.50).
Only by force have operators been forced to reduce prices in the past – I have this feeling that it will again take another slap by the EU for Mobile Operators to get their hinds in gear….
