Mobile rates to decrease 10 pc

6 June 2007

BRUSSELS – Using the mobile phone will become on average 10 percent cheaper in Belgium this year for private individuals and small businesses. Rates already fell 10.9 percent in 2006.

These calculations are contained in a report from consultant Arthur D. Little and commercial bank Exane BNP Paribas.

The price decrease will affect telephone calls using a mobile phone in Belgium, but not the sending of data, like sms text messages. The price drop this year is entirely the result of strong competition on the telecom market.

The report did not take into account the drop in roaming charges that the EU has imposed, nor the lowering of termination rates ordered by telecom regulator BIPT.

Subject: Belgian news