Good news and bad news for mobile phone users

2.56.06pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Jul 2009

Europe has now achieved two good things for mobile phone users. First of all it's forced providers to cut roaming charges for those innocent calls which we make on holiday only to find that we had a huge bill when we got home. Now, they have agreed with ten of the leading phone providers to develop a common charger so that if you have a mobile phone which sends data, from 2010 you should find that changing phones should not mean having to get another charger. Good for the environment and good for that kitchen drawer full of all the old ones which you have been keeping just in case.

Getting a new phone may not mean getting a new charger in the future

Less good news for mobile users is the development of a mobile phone directory which will give out your phone number. Although the provider of the number will tell you first before passing your number on - for a fee - you could find all sorts of people contacting you. At present there is no TPS (Telephone Preference Scheme) so you could find yourself being bugged with all sorts of sales calls. This is now needed, not least to stop you getting the non stop hassle when it's time to change your phone. You can go ex directory if you visit http://www.118800.co.uk/ and learn more about this scheme.