Patients will be able to use mobile phones in designated areas
Patients will be allowed to use their mobile phones in designated areas in all NHS hospitals in Wales.
Health Minister Edwina Hart says hospitals' bedside phone contracts with private suppliers should not be renewed when they come to an end.
Some patients are paying as much as 49 pence a minute for a local call.
The promotion of mobile phones and fixed lines in designated NHS areas fulfils a commitment of the coalition government's One Wales agreement.
A statement from Ms Hart's office said health boards would determine the exact arrangements but that they would also aim to minimise potential noise and disruption for other patients by people using mobile phones.
Ms Hart said: "We know that most patients and relatives want to use their personal mobile phones to keep in touch.
"Today's announcement will give people the choice of which phone they want to use and it can keep costs lower for patients and their families.
'Rest and recover'
"Patients will need to be mindful that hospitals are a place for them to rest and recover after an operation and they must therefore be respectful of other patients when using mobile phones, even in the designated areas."
Health boards will also be required to publicise more prominently the charges for using a phone provided by a patient's bedside.
The One-Wales document is the power-sharing deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru hammered out after the assembly elections in May 2007 which left Labour short of an overall majority and Plaid Cymru as the second-largest party.
