New controls on charges for calls to mobile phones might be introduced next year following an explosion in use and the growth of text messaging.

Telecommunications watchdog Oftel said it was to consult on introducing new controls on the cost of calls to mobiles on BT Cellnet and Vodafone networks by next year. The regulations could be imposed on all mobile operators.

Current price controls were set in 1998 after the Monopolies and Mergers Commission concluded the level of charges was too high.