Voice-roaming charges have started to tumble after the European Commission tabled proposals last July to force operators to reduce their prices. The Commission initially concentrated on tackling voice charges in preference to data. T-Mobile's announcement may be an indication that the Commission's strategy is about to change.

The Commission told ZDNet UK on 2 February that the European Parliament was applying "strong pressure" on the Commission to resolve the issue. A spokesperson said that only voluntary cuts by the mobile operators would negate the need for the introduction of a new legislative approach that also covered data charges.