Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Tesco Mobile first to slash the cost of roaming calls ahead of EC legislation - Tesco Mobile customers to benefit from cheaper roaming mobile calls for their summer holidays

Tesco Mobile has announced it is the 1st mobile operator to slash its European mobile roaming charges from 12th July, well before the European Commission’s 29th August deadline.

Customers will be able to benefit from the reduction in call costs well in time for the start of the summer holidays.

As a result, it will be cheaper for Tesco Mobile customers to call home from abroad than for many other mobile users to make UK-to-UK mobile calls and they'll earn Clubcard points as they top-up.

Customers will not have to opt-in to receive the price cuts as the new benefits will immediately be made for all.

Tesco Mobile is planning to lead the mobile market by introducing roaming rates that are better value than the EU legislation requires.

With prices cut to 35p per minute to make and 15p per minute to receive, it will be cheaper for a Tesco Mobile customer to call the UK from key holiday destinations such as Spain and Greece; than for a T-mobile mates rates customer to call UK cross network (40p a minute).

Calls with Tesco Mobile from EU countries to the UK will be the same price as the cost of a UK to UK cross network call with Virgin Mobile and Orange Anytime (35p a minute).

Andy Dewhurst, Chief executive officer of Tesco Mobile said:

“We welcome the new legislation but we want our customers to get better value right away.

It seems ludicrous that some mobile phone companies may make customers wait until the end of the summer to lower their mobile roaming prices.

“By focusing on value, Tesco Mobile has become the UK’s fastest growing mobile network.

“By dropping our roaming prices in time for the big summer get-away we know our customers won’t have to drop their social lives just because they are abroad.”

Tesco Mobile is also calling on the EU to introduce legislation that will cut the cost of texting from abroad.

Andy Dewhurst continued:

“We want prices to come down for texting as well and would love to pass a cut in pricing on to our customers, so we urge the EU to consider looking at this issue as well.”

A Tesco Mobile Extra Pay as You Go SIM card with £20 call credit is currently available for just £10. Texts within the UK cost 5p each and calls made to anyone in the UK cost just 10p per minute for customers who top up by £15 or more a month. Tesco Mobile handsets are available from just £24.97 for a Nokia 1112. SIM cards and handsets are available at Tesco stores or online at www.tescomobile.com

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Notes to editors:

For further info please contact Reuven Proenca or Adrian Ma at Cow PR on 0207 684 6969 or e-mail telecom@cowpr.com.

All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT.

T-mobile mates rates calls cost 40p a minute to call other networks. Virgin Mobile calls cost 35p a minute to call other networks. Prices checked online and correct as of 14/06/07.

About Tesco Mobile:

Tesco Mobile is a 50:50 joint venture between Tesco and O2. The company sells exclusively Tesco Mobile branded services in Tesco stores across the UK using O2’s technology and network. The service gives Tesco Mobile customers value, simplicity and choice, offering them supermarket style offers and the chance to earn Clubcard points when buying handsets and call time.