The competition regulator is backing a range of measures that would slash the price of mobile phone calls and text messages.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched an inquiry into the prices and terms of mobile phone calls and text messages earlier this year.

The price of text messages and voice call rates could also be flattened into one simple figure. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Australia’s mobile call rates are high compared to other countries around the world, the ACCC said. Where the price was 3.6¢ per minute in January 2014, it was 1.455¢ per minute in the United Kingdom and 0.681 ¢ per minute in China.

On Friday the ACCC released a discussion paper outlining some of its proposals.