Drive to end mobile roaming fees
A CALL has been made for the European Union to scrap mobile phone roaming fees.
Scottish Lib Dem MEP George Lyon claims Scottish travellers and businesses are being affected by the charges.
His plea comes after a study showed more than one third of British travellers turn phones off when abroad to avoid high charges.
Nearly half said they would never use mobile internet in another EU country while 9 in 10 said they avoided using Facebook and Twitter when abroad.
Mr Lyon warned that the current roaming costs are hitting Scottish travellers in their wallets and forcing businesses to pay millions every year to stay connected overseas.
He and his fellow Lib Dem MEPs are campaigning for mobile roaming charges to be scrapped by 2015.
“The Commission need to press ahead with these reforms to ensure holidaymakers and businesses alike do not end up out of pocket. That would be good news for the millions of British tourists who visit Europe every year, as well as the many local businesses who rely on trade with the EU,” said Mr Lyon.