A Cellular News report claims that the European Commission is expected to present a proposal this week to charge customs duties on some mobile devices, by moving ‘sophisticated’ phones into a dutiable customs category. Mobile phones with increased functionality, such as GPS receivers and mobile TV, would reportedly face an import tax of up to 14 percent under the proposals.

The European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA) – which calls itself “the voice of the European digital technology industry” – opposes the move. According to the Cellular News report, Mark MacGann, director general of EICTA, said, “We are witnessing a lack of joined-up government in the EU. At a time when Europe is confronted with protracted recession, there is a need to reassure consumers. Measures such as this send the wrong message and end up penalising the most critical forces of economic recovery in Europe: consumers and innovators.”