EU DELIVERS LOWER MUSIC DOWNLOAD PRICES

12.00.00am GMT Sat 12th Jan 2008

Fiona Hall has welcomed the reduction of Apple's download music prices achieved as a result of discussions between Apple's Chief Executive and the European Union.

The download prices on Apple's online music store, iTunes, have until now been higher in the UK than for customers elsewhere in the EU.

Commenting on the result that will save UK customers millions each year, Fiona Hall MEP said:

"Currently, each single downloaded costs 79p in the UK and only 74p for customers elsewhere within the Eurozone. The independent UK watchdog, Which?, found that on average customers in the UK paid 20% more for single downloads than music shoppers in France or Germany and were barred from purchasing songs via iTunes' European websites.

"After discussions between the European Competition Minister, Neelie Kroes, and Apple's CEO Steve Jobs, Apple has agreed to lower the prices charged in the UK to the equivalent prices charged on the continent and the new tariffs will come into force within the next six months.

"In 2007 the EU considerably reduced the bills of UK mobile phone customers sending texts and making calls within the EU. Now, on the premise of fair competition, the EU has reduced the cost of buying music online. I join with Which? in calling this a "great victory"."