Telecommunications Ministers discussed roaming charges and postal services

The Telecommunications Ministers of the European Union discussed roaming charges and the directive on postal services at their Council meeting in Brussels on 11 December. Information security also featured on their agenda.

The Council held a thorough discussion about how to regulate prices of mobile calls made from abroad. The aim of the regulation would be to achieve fast and significant price reductions for the benefit of all consumers. The Ministers exchanged views on whether regulation of wholesale prices would be enough or if retail prices were also to be regulated.

The next holder of the EU Presidency, Germany, said that reductions in roaming charges would be one of its priorities. If all goes well, the matter can be taken forward already next summer.

The ministers prepared the groundwork for achieving an internal market for postal services from the beginning of 2009. In their discussions they emphasised that the basic postal services must remain generally available during the process.