47 per cent of Europeans would never access the mobile internet while travelling in another EU country, according to research from the European Commission (EC) – and 28 per cent just turn off their mobile altogether.

Based on a survey of 28,000 EU citizens, the research found that mobile roaming charges cause 94 per cent of travellers to limit their use of mobile services.

“I am honestly shocked by these figures,” said EC vice president Neelie Kroes. “It shows we have to finish the job and eliminate roaming charges. Consumers are limiting their phone use in extreme ways and this makes no sense for the companies either.

“It’s not just a fight between holiday-makers and telecoms companies. Millions of businesses face extra costs because of roaming, and companies like app makers lose revenue too. Roaming makes no sense in a single market – it’s economic madness.”

Only 10 per cent of respondents said they use email on their mobile in the same way as they would at home, and just five per cent use social media the same way.