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Given that a third of research participants will use their mobiles on holiday in the EU and six per cent will use their phones while on business abroad this year, the impending price cuts will be closely examined.

Only 11 per cent of people surveyed by GfK NOP said that they believe the pricing caps would make roaming charges a 'cheap' option. Eighty per cent said that even a dramatic drop in pricing would still result in charges they consider a 'rip off', and 25 per cent suggested that any changes will mean rates will 'still be expensive.'

But regardless of the ultimate caps imposed, they won't help solve

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the ambiguity surrounding charges and the confusion that many users currently experience in terms of working out what they will be charged for calls when away from home.

Worryingly, 44 per cent of people said that they have no idea at all how much it is costing them to make and take calls while abroad, while 37 per cent don't know how hard they've been hit financially until their bill comes in.

'If the EU votes for cheaper roaming calls, it will still be too little for most of us: reducing an outrageous sum by 70 per cent still leaves a large sum. It also does nothing for the millions of us that enjoy using SMS messages to stay in touch,' said James Tagg, chief executive of Truphone, who commissioned the research.

'And the operators clearly ought to be a lot more communicative, as their customers still won't know if they need to budget for taking their mobile on holiday as if it is an extra family member.'

Tagg added: 'The most important thing to which the EU could now turn its attention is ensuring that innovation in mobile services is promoted and that a "level playing field" is provided to new entrants, who will instill price pressure through innovative use of technology.'