Italian and Spanish operators accused of sharp practice

OXFORD, United Kingdom—Cell phone subscribers who make calls close to the borders of Spain or Italy could well find these calls being charged at international tariffs. Spanish or Italian cell phone operators have been accused of placing cell phone masts near their international borders in an attempt to “hijack” local calls made by residents in neighboring countries.
The Spanish government has admitted that some mobile phone operators are applying international fees to telephone calls made in the proximity of the Portuguese border. However, the government regulator has tried to downplay the issue claiming that the problem is being inadvertently caused by ‘technical issues,’ by which mobile calls are operated through the closest base station. The Italian telecom regulator is also reported to be looking into the problem after French cell phone users complained about higher than normal charges.