Dutch consumers look set to save millions of Euros per year after telecoms regulator OPTA agreed to slash the price of making a phone call. The decision means MTRs will be cut by up to 83%, and will see the price of a call drop from EURO 0.7 per minute to EURO 0.012. Fixed network rates will also drop, from 0.69 cents to 0.45 cents. The savings made by the telecom operators are expected to be passed on to consumers which will collectively save at least EURO 130 million a year.

Unlike the plans outlined by our own telecoms regulator Ofcom, the reduction in MTRs for fixed line and mobile, will be reduced over a two year period and will come into effect on 1st September 2012.

Similar to Ofcom’s consultation process that closes in the UK on 23rd June 2010, Dutch telecom companies and other parties are now invited to respond to OPTA’s proposal before 7th June 2010. The European Commission will also provide its views and a final decision is expected in August.

It is great to see that the issue of high MTRs is being tackled by other countries and that soon the benefits of a low MTR environment will be passed on to Dutch consumers.