Massive differences in charges for telephony services across Europe have been highlighted in a new survey from the Bureau European des Unions de Consommateurs. The umbrella group for European consumers’ organisations and Consumentenbond research company, examined tariffs, installation costs, subscription charges and the quality of service in the 12 European Community member states, plus Switzerland and Austria. In terms of call charges, local, long distance and international tariffs for a five-minute call at both cheap and peak rate were examined. Local calls in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain were found to be cheapest for each price band, while the UK, Switzerland and Austria were at the top end of the range. The Netherlands and Denmark had the lowest tariffs for long distance calls both at cheap and peak rate, while Austria and Ireland came off worst for cheap rate, Austria and Italy for peak rate. International calls in Ireland and Spain were found to be the most expensive on average, with Germany and Mercury Communications Ltd’s UK service providing the cheapest international service. But the report points out that charges on a call from Germany to Ireland are twice those for the same call in the other direction. Overall, there was no significant decrease in charges since the Bureau’s last survey carried out in 1987. Looking at installation charges, Germany was found to have the most competitive service, with Denmark the most expensive, while Greece’s subscription rates were lower than elsewhere. Austria and Ireland topped the league table overall for subscription costs. The report pointed out differing levels of service. In most countries, for example, there is no access to independent arbitration for disputes, with the Netherlands and the UK being exceptions to the rule, while customers in Denmark, Germany, Greece and parts of the Netherlands do not have the option of itemised bills despite the use of enabling digital exchanges.
