The EU wants to restrict network charges for use of mobile phones and services abroad. Vodafone, Telefonica O2, T-Mobile and Orange hold a united front against the decision to have a maximum ‘roaming’ price across Europe. The say the regulations exceed the power of the European Commission and should be left to national authorities.

But, an Advocate General at the European Court of Justice today said the EU was right to act because previous attempts to curtail high roaming charges had failed. The Commission’s input is seen as a ‘last resort’ to get the roaming charge problem resolved.

When it was looked in to the Commission found that roaming prices varied widely across Europe "in ways that could not be explained by underlying costs". Operators were making profits of above 200% for calls made while roaming, and of 300% or 400% for calls received.

A final verdict isn’t expected until the end of this year or even early 2010.

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