Of course another reason that mobile operators are relatively pleased with Ofcom over the mobile termination charges is that it is quite likely that they will face steeper cuts to revenues from the European Commission’s plans to force reductions in roaming charges (what you pay when you use your mobile abroad).

Viviane Reding, the European commissioner for telecoms, has, according to the FT, “enraged the mobile industry with plans for cuts.”

Reding’s campaign is making its way through the European parliament and if all goes well at the next Council meeting of telecoms ministers than regulation will likely be in place by this summer.

The Commission has taken this project up with gusto and its understandable from their perspective why. The move will be popular with consumers and also provides the Commission with good press. The European institutions are looking for as much legitimacy for their own existence and purpose as possible at this point in time.