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BRUSSELS, Nov 5 (Reuters) - European Union regulators urged the Dutch telecoms watchdog on Thursday to align with EU rules the way it sets fixed telephone fees that operators charge rivals to use their network, aiming to give users a better deal.
The European Commission has been seeking cuts in fixed and mobile tariffs for making telephone calls, sending text messages and reading emails. In May, it unveiled guidelines for mobile phone calls that will save customers 2 billion euros ($3 billion) over the next three years.
EU countries and lawmakers approved this week reforms that will boost consumers' contractual rights and set up a pan-European supervisory body to open competition in the telecoms sector.
Dutch regulator OPTA's calculation model includes costs that should not be attributed to the provision of call termination services and which may encourage operators to overcharge, the Commission said in a letter to OPTA.
"It is important that fixed termination rates are regulated effectively and in a consistent manner across the EU," Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said in a statement.

The EU executive urged OPTA to reconsider its methodology. National regulators are obliged to take "utmost account" of Commission comments with regard to regulatory remedies.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Dale Hudson) ($1=.6734 euro) Keywords: TELECOMS NETHERLANDS/EU

(foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com; tel +32 2 287 6844; Reuters Messaging: foo.yunchee.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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