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German Mobile Operators Await Soccer Fans

Visiting supporters will spend a combined total of EUR 36.5 million on mobile calls, text and video messages during this month's FIFA World Cup, according to research from Informa Telecoms & Media.

There will be more than one million football fans attending the World Cup in Germany and we estimate that each person will generate an average of EUR 36.50 roaming charges during their stay.

"Recent price cuts announced by operators such as Orange and Vodafone are going to benefit fans of teams inside the European Union but it's worth remembering that 21 of the teams in the tournament are from non-European countries. They will be paying a lot more to call home than European supporters. A Brazilian fan will be charged as much as EUR 3.50 per minute to call Brazil from Germany - three times what it will cost a European supporter. Many may opt for purchasing local SIM cards or other alternative roaming solutions, as advocated by tourist boards and some mobile operators," says Mark Newman, Chief Research Officer at Informa Telecoms & Media.

The assessment is based on roaming usage patterns and pricing trends in retail and wholesale roaming prices that are examined in the forthcoming report published by Informa Telecoms & Media. A typical roamer is expected to send 8 text messages, make 10 voice calls, generate a single data session, possibly to send an MMS, and receive 6 calls during their visit.

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