Official: The EU's roaming empire to finally crumble in 2014

Official: The mobile roaming empire to crumble in the EU in 2014
The end of 'Hi mum, yeah we're ok, bye" comes next summer

There are few emails the British dread more than that post-holiday mobile phone statement, where we discover what little cash we had left will be consumed by those nasty mobile roaming charges.

However, the financial pain of staying in touch with friends and family while vacationing in the EU will hopefully be over by the time you and yours jet off for warmer climes in the summer of 2014.

It's not for us

However, before you get all "Awww, thanks Europe!" the idea behind the scheme isn't to benefit us humble consumers, but more to encourage more competition, alliances and mergers between mobile networks.

The EU hopes that regional networks will form alliances similar to how airlines have come together in order to form fewer, but stronger super networks.

Those larger companies will be able to invest more in future infrastructure, including the roll-out of next-generation mobile speeds.

A technology journalist, writer and videographer of many magazines and websites including T3, Gadget Magazine and TechRadar.com. He specializes in applications for smartphones, tablets and handheld devices, with bylines also at The Guardian, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and Wareable. Chris is also the podcast host for The Liverpool Way. As well as tech and football, Chris is a pop-punk fan and enjoys the art of wrasslin'.