European Union Sets 14 Cents Cap On International Roaming Charges For SMS

November 28, 2008 12:28 p.m. EST

Brussels, Belgium (AHN) - The European Union is planning to set a cap on international roaming charges for mobile phones at 14 cents for sending a text message overseas.

The change to phone charges will be applicable across all 27 member-nations of the EU beginning July 2009. While SMS charges may go down, EU citizens are bracing for a rise in cost for other mobile phone services.

The initial proposal to place a cap on data roaming charges was made by EU Telecommunications Commissioner Viviane Reding. On Friday the proposal was backed up by EU telecom ministers at a ministerial meeting.

The current international SMS cost is 37 cents (29 euro cents).