Telefonica Launches 'High Roamer' Mobile Tariff

MADRID -(Dow Jones)- Telefonica, the euro-zone's largest telecommunications company by market value, said Wednesday that it's launching a new mobile service that removes extra charges for some users when receiving calls abroad.

The new 'High Roamer' service, aimed at frequent travelers, is the second service launched by Telefonica under the company's 'My Europe' plan to lower so-called roaming fees.

Telefonica said that UK-based subscribers of its O2 unit will be able to use the service by paying a monthly fee of GBP5. They will also pay 25 pence a minute to make calls when abroad.

Telefonica announced in May its "My Europe" set of new packages with lower roaming charges, following calls from the European Commission for new rules to stop companies from overcharging customers when abroad.

Company Web site: http://www.telefonica.es

-By David Roman, Dow Jones Newswires; 34 913958125; david.roman@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 18th October 2006