Andy Pandy <spam8times@wonderful.spam.invalid> wrote:

> "PeeGee" <triessuk@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:f8etph$df8$1@aioe.org...
> > There is also a large variation in rates, as some are applying the
> max
> > (38/19p)and others give lower (Tesco and O2). It can be a bit of a
> > struggle to find the rates on their sites, as that can give the
> > operators a bit of extra revenue while you search ;-) T-mobile, for
> > example, are changing on 30 August and therefore still give the old
> > rates when you look them up, but have a link to give the new rates.
> They
> > also appear to be limiting it to EU countries, whereas O2 include
> other
> > European countries, eg Switzerland.
>
> One thing which isn't clear from the regulations is what call types it
> applies to. For instance:
>
> 1) Non geographic (0845/0870 etc).
>
> 2) Mobiles and landlines anywhere in the EU? For instance if I'm
> roaming in France can I call a mobile in Italy?

The idea is that it shouldn't cost you more to make a call while roaming
than you would pay for that call at home. Obviously, it's impossible to
really rationalise this.

> 3) Does it apply to UK tariffs - for instance many contracts have a
> rip-off x-net rate if you exceed your included allowance (as they want
> people to pre-buy excess minutes and waste them every month). Some are
> 40p/min or more. Will these have to come down too?

It doesn't apply to UK tariffs, but to roaming, where the EU commission
has felt there hasn't been enough competition.

Mobile companies here and in Europe are fond of very complicated pricing
plans, as they confuse their customers. Yet another reason why I prefer
a prepaid plan with very simple pricing...

--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007