EC unhappy with 'per minute' charges

The European Commission says it may restrict networks from charging 'per minute' for calls. EC spokesman Martin Selmayr said 'per minute' charging means the average consumer in Europe is paying 24% percent more than the minutes they actually use to make calls - and 19% more for receiving calls. Currently only France, Lithuania, Portugal and Spain have legislation requiring per-second billing, although some other countries also offer it. The GSM Association says the billing increment doesn't matter as long as consumers are aware. [Sources: EurActiv.com; EUobserver.com]