Ireland's Ahern proposes EU slash or eliminate roaming charges

Europeans may soon be able to travel around the continent free of cellular roaming charges, if a proposal by Irish cabinet leader, or Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern gains support in the European Parliament. Ahern's push for reduced or eliminated roaming fees comes immediately prior to a scheduled update on the very same topic by EU Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding on Tuesday, when she is expected to propose a regulation that would reduce fees faster than carriers are willing to on their own. The current interest in bloated roaming costs began in June of last year, when the EU executive announced that it would take action after having just cited Germany's T-Mobile and Vodafone for overcharging visiting tourists.