CAMPBELL BACKS CAMPAIGN FOR CHEAPER CALLS

North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell has added his support to a campaign demanding calls to mobile phones be made much cheaper.

When a call is made to a different mobile network or from a landline the network which is called makes a charge for carrying the call. This is called the Mobile Termination Rate (MTR) and is currently charged at 4p or more for every minute of the call.

The ‘Terminate the Rate’ campaign argues this is excessive and distorts competition. The industry regulator Ofcom is proposing to bring in changes to lower the MTR gradually over the next four years. The Terminate the Rate campaign is calling for the change to made much sooner.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“High MTRs artificially inflate the cost of making calls to mobiles. I’ve received dozens of emails and letters from constituents who are fed up with excessive mobile phone bills and want to see the MTR lowered to reflect its true cost.

“When these rates are reduced mobile operators will be forced to become more competitive, meaning better deals for all consumers. Small businesses will save on their phone bills, boosting profits. Lower phone bills will leave consumers with more money in their pockets during this difficult economic period. It will help vulnerable people, especially those who live alone, to maintain contact with family and friends and prevent social isolation.

“I am writing to Ofcom to ask it to lower the Mobile Termination Rates sooner rather than later and have signed the parliamentary Motion supporting the ‘Terminate the Rate’ campaign.”

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