Communication costs in your global network are going to be reduced either by regulation or by the voluntary efforts on the part of mobile phone providers.

“We’ve been complaining for years over high roaming fees but it’s been the threat of regulation that has really led to action,” said Ed Vonk, CEO of the European VPN Users Association, which represents the interests of large multinational companies with global-networking operations.”

Said regulations are due to be voted on in committee today with a proposed 70% reduction. The legislative process will not be completed until the end of the first half of 2007 and additional time will be needed for implementation.

In fear of such regulations, European mobile phone providers have been slashing international roaming fees voluntarily.

“Vodafone Group PLC has moved ahead of any EU regulations and lowered its retail roaming fees by more than 40%, largely through its Passport program, according to a company spokesman.

Customers who sign up for Passport pay €0.75 ($1 U.S.) to make a connection and then pay according to the per-minute rate agreed to in their domestic contract or bundled-minute package.
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Even if mobile phone operators have responded, many acknowledge that “regulation is still likely,” said David Pringle, a spokesman for the GSM Association, which represents operators…”
(Source)

One of the expected benefits from the legislation is that when calls are made while traveling within the European Union, they will not be significantly higher than calls originated in a home country. Mobile operators are expected to exercise greater transparency with their customers, keeping them fully informed about applicable roaming charges and any changes that occur. Additionally, consumers will save when receiving a call, while reduced wholesale charges between operators will enable them to offer lower retail tariffs.