So, on the European Commission's model, the UK would no longer have a significant voice over decisions affecting the European banking industry.

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It could provide an important blueprint to preserve the UK's voting voice and weight on the future of the single market, as and when the eurozone evolves into an even more unified political bloc.

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The current rules balanced delivering services to the UK's 50 million mobile phone users and allowing local residents a voice, added Mr Dolan.

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The association predicted that the US and UK would see data revenues exceeding voice by 2014.

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Mr Davies, now a Plaid Cymru councillor, said Wales will need to make its voice heard at a UK level and the Wales Office has a role in that but "whether it needs to continue in its existing structure is up for grabs".

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Last month, the incoming head of Universities UK, Roderick Floud, speaking on behalf of university chiefs, added his voice to the criticism of the present system, saying that it was too complex and could deter applicants to higher education.

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In the UK, a regulator called Ofcom reported -1% decline in voice minutes in 2011.

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