3 Joins Euro partners

5 European Mobile Operators have joined forces to cut the cost of data roaming.

3 in the UK, Italy, Ireland, Austria, Sweden and Denmark have joined KPN in the Netherlands, Belgian operator BASE and German operator E-Plus to agree a wholesale rate.

A new agreed rate of 0.25 euros will be introduced from 1 March for each MB of data downloaded.

Together the five mobile operators cover 10 European markets and a population of more than 295 million - or 60 percent of the European Union’s total population of 495 million.

In order for customers across the EU to benefit from the potential offers to reduce retail prices, the five operators have challenged other operators across Europe to join them by also bringing down their wholesale rates.

With the European average retail roaming rate currently at more than five euros per MB, this could lead to significant reductions in retail prices across the EU.

Christian Salbaing, MD European telecommunications for Hutchison 3G Europe, said: "Simple and transparent wholesale pricing will enable competition to establish more consumer-friendly offers right across the EU."