Finland's Minister of Housing and Communications Pia Viitanen considers the roaming charges initiative of Commissioner Neelie Kroes to be interesting, yet controversial. Speaking to the European Parliament on Thursday 30 May, Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said that telephone operators should abolish roaming charges, i.e. billing customers travelling within EU area for internet use, by the end of next year. "Finland welcomes substantial cuts in roaming charges. The EU's current regulation of roaming charges has already helped people and businesses make significant savings. The benefits are easy to see for everyone travelling in Europe," Minister Viitanen says.
"However, we must not let removal of roaming charges become a Trojan Horse that will eventually lead to higher consumer prices," the Minister continues.
"Telecommunications operations in Europe must primarily be developed according to the needs of the users, whether they live in a big or small Member State. Therefore, we must not let a few telecom giants dictate the terms of development," Minister Viitanen emphasises.
