EU set to impose data roaming cap

Cost of mobile data could fall to 45p per megabyte under EU proposals

The European Union (EU) is set to impose limits on the amount mobile operators can charge customers that use their phones while abroad, according to reports.

The EU's digital commissioner, Neelie Kroes, has long been pushing operators to reduce roaming charges, but now appears unsatisfied with the glacial pace of progress.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Kroes will impose a limit of 81p per megabyte in proposals set to be unveiled on Wednesday, 6 July. That limit would fall further in the following years, to just 45p per megabyte by 2014.

Back in 2009, the EU forced mobile operators to cut the amount they charged for sending text messages from abroad and urged the operators to make roaming charges clearer.

But according to the WSJ, EU officials still believe that the Eurpean "roaming market is not yet competitive" and requires further regulatory intervention.

Roaming charges have become a hot button issue for IT leaders with increasing numbers of smartphone users in the workforce.