European mobile phone users will pay less to send text messages under plans to be unveiled on Tuesday.
Frustrated with the high cost of sending text messages while abroad, the European Commission plans to regulate the price with a cap. A spokesman confirmed there would be a ceiling, but would not give details.
EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding last year pushed through a Europe-wide regulation imposing price caps on mobile operator roaming rates, or the price of calls made abroad.
She had also given mobile telephone operators until the start of July to bring down the cost of sending text messages and using the internet on mobile phones. Ms Reding said recently that the threat had been 'without much result' as the price of sending text messages abroad fell to just 28 cent from 29 cent in January.
But the telecoms industry rejects her claims. The GSM Association, which represents 750 mobile operators. said the price of text messages had dropped at an annual rate of 18% in April, while the cost of mobile internet had fallen 25%.
