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Neena Calls for End of Text Charge Rip-Offs

West Midlands MEP Neena Gill, has welcomed Euro MPs support for a cut in prices for texting while in another European country.

Speaking from Strasbourg Neena said: "West Midlands texters are effectively being fleeced when they contact their loved ones from abroad.Only last year we introduced the regulation on mobile phone roaming charges for voice calls across Europe which has successfully slashed the cost of roaming calls. We gave industry the chance to voluntarily reduce the costs of text roaming or face further action."

" It is shocking that mobile phone texters are having to pay up to 10 times more than domestic rates for sending texts. We now no choice but to legislate to protect consumers and to force the industry to reduce their charges, with texts capped at 9 pence each. I like many other Labour MEPs want this legislation in force to protect consumers as soon as possible."

Commenting on Tory and Liberal proposals to weaken consumer protection measures in the law, Neena said "yet again we see the can’t care less approach of Tory and Lib Dem Euro MPs; even when faced with clear and consistent unfair charges for consumers they table proposals to put an early end to the law, to permit higher prices, and to allow operators to continue their 20% hidden charge for roaming calls, shame on them".