I welcome the publication of the joint Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, and Ofcom report on cross-Border telecoms issues. The report covers cross-Border mobile telephone roaming; cross-Border leased line costs; telephone dialling codes; and illegal broadcast radio stations operating in Border areas. I am delighted that ComReg and Ofcom have adopted a common approach to tackle issues of mutual concern to businesses and the general public on both sides of the Border.
On 19 January 2005, I issued a press release with my Northern counterpart, Minister Barry Gardiner MP, which welcomed the publication of this report and expressed concern at mobile phone customers being caught by roaming mobile signals along the Border and incurring international charges for what they think are national calls.
I support the report's call for clearer information for customers on all-island tariff options and how to minimise roaming costs. I also support the report's call for the mobile operators to enter into joint arrangements on a cross-Border basis to offer customers all-island tariffs. While I acknowledge that a number of operators already offer all-island tariff options, it is disappointing that where these are available they are limited to bill-paying customers and business contracts. I would like to see all-island rates extended to pay-as-you-go mobile users, who represent around 70% of the mobile customer base. I appreciate that entering into such arrangements would involve business decisions which are a matter the operators. For my part, I have already taken the opportunity, in meetings with the operators, to raise this issue and will continue to do so. I am looking forward to the market's response to the report and to ComReg and Ofcom continuing to co-operate on this issue.