LONDON-U.K. telecom agency Oftel sent its proposals for reducing the prices of mobile calls to the European Commission for comment. The proposals are in line with recommendations the agency made in May.
The proposals include setting controls to force wireless carriers to reduce the amounts they charge to connect calls to their networks, ensuring equal access for terminating calls onto mobile networks and not regulating the third-generation market until it further develops.
“Calling someone on their mobile phone is expensive,” said David Edmonds, Oftel director general of telecommunications. “Consumers have no option but to pay the connection charge set by the operator of the network they call. I believe that measures are needed to require the mobile operators to reduce their call termination charges, which should results in cheaper calls to mobile phones.”
The proposals are one of the last pieces of business for Oftel before it is combined under a new communications regulator, Ofcom, Dec. 29.
