Using broadband services abroad via a laptop computer will throw up fewer nasty surprises for customers when their bills come through as the EU caps roaming charges.

As of July 1st, mobile broadband roaming charges are to be automatically set at €50 (£40) and operators will be obliged to inform customers when they reach 80 per cent of their maximum allowance.

If customers want to use more or less then it will still be possible to arrange this with their providers.

The maximum wholesale charge for mobile broadband data roaming will also fall from €1 (80p) to 80 cents (64p) under the new measures.

European Commission (EC) vice-president for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes said she wants to make the EU telecoms market more competitive.

"There will be no more bill shocks for tourists or business travellers surfing the internet with smart phones or laptops while in another EU country," she said.

This represents the latest in a series of measures for broadband use in the EU. As part of the Digital Agenda, the EC recently announced it intends to introduce broadband access to all Europeans by 2013.

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