Cypriots most to take their mobiles abroad

CYPRUS HAS among the highest rate of mobile phone ownership in the EU, and shares with Malta the highest rate of overseas travellers who take phones with them, according to the latest Eurostat report released yesterday.

According to the report, 94 per cent of Cypriots take their phone abroad, compared to an EU average of 81 per cent, and Cypriots are more inclined to make voice calls than other EU nationals when roaming, with 88 per cent predominantly using voice calls when overseas. This compares to an EU average of 55 per cent.

Cyprus shares other traits with the Maltese, who were the only EU nationals less likely than Cypriots to switch off their phone when abroad or leave it at home. Two per cent of Cypriots said they would switch their phone off, while four per cent said they would leave it at home.

This compares to an EU average of 10 per cent for each option.

Regarding other mobile telephony services, the report showed 65 per cent of those polled used text services when overseas and 14per cent used internet services.

Cypriots’ readiness to take and use their phone abroad does not mean they are not concerned about the cost of roaming, however.

The report shows that as a whole, more Europeans use their mobiles when travelling in the EU than four years ago, when the EU first introduced roaming rules.

Despite an estimated 13 per cent fall in travel between 2006 and 2010, the overall volume of calls received and SMSs sent while abroad in the EU has grown during that period. Travellers report making 32 per cent more calls, receiving 31 per cent more calls and texting 43 per cent more since 2006.

However almost three quarters of Europeans are worried about the cost of using their mobile phone when travelling in the EU and 72 per cent of travellers still limit their roaming calls because of high charges even if a majority is aware that prices have fallen since 2006.