Dutch mobile phone operators have increased the cost of sending a text message (sms) within Europe by 20%, after being ordered to cut phone call prices by the European Commission, according to calculations by the Telegraaf.

Last September new European legislation was introduced to peg the cost of European mobile calls to a maximum 49 cents per minute (ex tax). This has saved consumers €77m over the past six months. However, inter-European text messages now cost an average of 51 cents, the Telegraaf says, quoting figures from telecom watchdog Opta.
Nevertheless, consumers are better off as a whole, Opta told the paper.