MOBILE TELEPHONY : CONSUMER PROTECTION ISAT THE HEART OF DEBATE ON ROAMING.

Supposedly grounded in a principle of simplicity,' the debate on the proposed regulation aimed at lowering the cost of calls made to or from another country ( roaming') continues to inspire Europe's policy-makers. The European Commission, the German Presidency of the EU and the European Parliament's rapporteur, Paul Rubig (EPP-ED, Austria), all have proposals for striking a balance between consumers' interests and competition on the mobile phone market. A consensus seems to be taking shape on regulating wholesale and retail prices, noted Fabio Colasanti, Director-General of DG Information Society, at an EP hearing on 23 January.

Germany wishes to create a "standard price" with an upper limit that would be compulsory for all operators and would give them enough margin to make a profit and develop...