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MOBILE PHONES

Phone firms told to halve ‘other network’ charges

German mobile phone bills should shrink significantly from the start of December, as the big four providers were told on Friday to halve the amount they charge customers for mobile calls between networks.

Published: 17 November 2012 13:13 CET
Phone firms told to halve 'other network' charges
Photo: DPA

The Federal Network Agency which regulates communications facilities, said it was reducing the amount T-Mobile, Vodafone, E-Plus and Telefonica/O2 could charge for calls between them, from a top price of €3.39 per minute to a maximum of €1.85 per minute. In a year’s time this would be further reduced to €1.79 per minute, a spokesman said.

Jochen Homann, president of the agency, said the spread of smartphones and the accompanying rise in data transmission meant that voice transmission was accounting for a dwindling share of the total cost of mobile phone networks.

Telekom said the decision was difficult to comprehend, and that it would lose €500 million in turnover as a direct result, and this would be bad for future investments.

A Vodafone spokesman said the decision was completely the wrong signal, and would take money from the market which was needed for the expansion of digital infrastructure.

A four-week consultation period now starts, while the European Commission and EU regulatory bodies must also have time to comment.

DPA/DAPD/The Local/hc

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INTERNET

REVEALED: the cheapest mobile data deals in Spain in 2021

Mobile and internet packages in Spain were among the highest in the EU in 2020. A new study by Spain's leading consumer watchdog reveals which Spanish data deals offer the best value for money.

Published: 8 April 2021 14:33 CEST
Mobile phone data
Photo: John Fornander/Unsplash

Because phone and internet packages are so expensive here compared to the rest of the EU, we have taken a look at recent data from FACUA-Consumers in Action, who analysed offers from 24 different mobile phone companies between April 6th and 7th to find the best deals. 

For those who need calls more than data

The following deals are for people who want unlimited calls, but don’t need the rate to include data. The cheapest deals are €6.50 with Xenet, €6.89 with Suop, and €6.90 for Global and Finetwork. Other options with just 5 GB of data per month are Finetwork and Hits Mobile at €6.90, Global at €6.95 and Digi at €7. The most expensive offer in this category for just 3GB per month is Yoigo for €14.

For those who from 20GB of data per month

If you need more data, you might want to look at packages and companies offering deals of 20GB or more. The lowest price per month in this category is Xenet offering 30GB €10.50, conversely, the most expensive offer in this category with the same number of GB is Yoigo at €29. This represents a difference in price of 176 percent.

Other companies which offer great deals for more GBs are MasMovil at €13.90 and Simyo at €14, each for 20GB. Virgin also offers a €14 tariff, but for 25GB instead of €20. R and Telecable also stand out for their offers of 30GB for €16 per month.

For those who want 40GB and above

For those who need a lot of data e.g. 40GB and above, Xenet again comes out on top at just €14 for 50GB. The same company also charges €15 for 60GB, €17 for 90GB and €21 for 250GB.

For €20 per month, Euskaltel offers 50GB and Digi offers 40GB.

For those who want unlimited data

Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo and Digi all have packages with unlimited data with prices that vary a lot. The cheapest companies in this category are Digi at €25 per month and Yoigo at €35.

Next is Vodafone’s offer at €32.99, however, the only condition is that the speed is limited to 2Mbps. The same company charges €47.99 for the maximum speed of 5GB.

Movistar and Orange also offer unlimited data for €39.95 and €35.99 respectively.

Things to keep in mind

This data is based on final conditions and does not take into account special promotions where a lower monthly fee may be applicable for the first few months only. Promotional rates have been included only if they last a year or more.

FACUA recommends that when choosing a mobile tariff with unlimited calls, you should not only have to take into account the number of GB that it includes and the fixed monthly price, but also the quality of the operator’s network and its customer service. It is also important to check what coverage companies have in your area. 

READ ALSO: Moving to Spain: What’s more expensive than in other countries?

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