The European Commission has warned the mobile industry that it expects to see mobile roaming charges fall within six months or regulators will take action.

Helping the process of "self-regulation" along the Commission launched a website to help European consumers check how much they are being charged and if they could get a better deal. The website lets you compare international roaming charges from different operators. It does not claim to be a comprehensive list.

The Commission noted that charges have come down since 1998 but that roaming charges could vary between 0.5c and €5

"Only a well-informed consumer is a well-armed consumer,” said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. “At a time when we have seen in Europe so much progress in other telecommunications services, the cost of using your mobile phone abroad is hard to believe."

The Commission hopes the initiative, together with work from national regulators, will push down prices.

Press release here and you can check how much you are paying here®