Mobile roaming rates for Europe revealed

All mobile operators have told the European Commission their new European roaming rates, as required by new regulations.

At least one mobile operator in 23 out of the 27 EU Member States including the UK, will offer roaming charges below the Commission's top allowed tariff, the Commission said.

The roaming charges are now listed on the Commission's website, and the UK rates will be activate by 30 August 2007.

EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding said in a statement: "The fact that the picture is now complete does not mean that the job is done. Together with the national telecom regulators, the Commission will now look into the quality, transparency and consumer-friendliness of the new roaming offers."

Reding added: "In autumn, this will allow us to assess whether there is now more competition in the roaming market and whether consumers actually get a better deal."

The publicised tariffs are a result of the EU Roaming Regulation - in force since 30 June 2007 - which requires mobile operators to make available, and actively offer, a revised tariff to their customers.

Under the rules, 'eurotariffs' must be offered with a maximum charge of €0.49 per minute for making calls within the EU and €0.24 per minute for receiving them. These will be lowered further in 2008 and 2009.