Mobile roaming rate cut agreed by EU leaders

EU leaders on Friday unanimously supported calls for a cut in roaming rates charged by mobile phone companies.

The European Commission has recently upped the pressure on companies, saying that it will impose legislation if a negotiated agreement cannot be reached.

Companies operating in southern Europe are thought to benefit more from high roaming charges than northern Europe, because the region attracts a lot of tourists.

Legislation could focus on doing away with being charged to take a cal while abroad.

Mobile phone operators have been arguing that legislation is unnecessary because competition is already bringing prices down.