EU mobile data changes

A change on how customers are billed for downloading data on their mobiles while abroad has moved a step closer following an endorsement from EU member states.

The bloc's telecoms ministers have given backing to a proposal by the European Commission (EC) which will see a number of measures introduced to protect customers when using their phones in other EU countries.

A message will automatically be sent when entering another country, which will have detailed information on how much they will be charged for downloading.

Additionally, from 2010, consumers will be able to set a 'cut off' level, stopping them from receiving excessive bills.

Finally, there will be a €1 per megabyte limit on wholesale fees.

The European Parliament must now decide on the proposals.

"I am confident that with Parliament we will ensure that consumers travelling in the EU will save money when sending texts and surfing the web with a mobile phone as of July 1st 2009," said EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding.

"This would send a clear message of consensus that the EU's single market is there to serve European citizens as well as businesses."