Vodafone Mobile Roaming Charges

jdonice

Just wanted to know peoples opinion on this.
Was in Spain with my new Samsung Omina phone although I knew there would be charges I didn't expect the 500 pound charge for using it for 10 days.

Looking at vodafone's website the charges are broken down like this.
Pay monthly customers must use the WAP APN £5 per day for up to 15MB
Data used when downloading music, games, video clips and ringtones from Vodafone Live! is free
Using the phone as a modem or web access using the Internet APN £4.99 per MB
http://www.abroad.vodafone.co.uk/index.cfm?do=cost.home&me=a1&nu=1&le=1&costs=true

As far as I am aware the Internet APN is the 3G or GPRS connection, which the phone defaults to all the time (nice eh). And pretty much required by most applications in use on these phones these days.

So I have been clobbered for 4.99 per mb

Although I doubt I will be able to avoid the costs. My main problem is the size of these charges and why the networks are not able to block the use of data whilst roaming.

Also it doesn't seem very straight forward with the omina to force it to use wap it always seems to go for Contract GPRS.
I have also found that some applications will use GPRS even if you care connected via wifi.

If they could block it it would force the user to contact vodafone to lift the block at which point charges to be explained.

Data charges need to be more transparent and clear. With WAP/GPRS/3G and now HSDPA. (oh I missed EDGE)
There are too many avenues for mobile companies to hide charges, not just in the UK but abroad too.

With nearly every phone these days coming with data connectivity and most of them have it on by default I can see this becoming a much larger issue in the future.

Any one else agree with my rant. ?

diamonds

ask a Vodafone shop about roaming on Spain costs & they will not advise WAP only

WAP is not avail on most modern handsets & you are right INT is the default

Voda structure for wap or internet is a mess - its the same service - A DATA CONNECTION

Buzby

You're not using Vodafone's network when you roam - and as you discovered, since all the connections are to the pre-set UK servers (not a real issue as the Internet is supposedly worldwide), the fact is it is a data connection on a roamed network and these charges are hideously high.

Voice calls have already been reduced by the EU, Data is next on the list, but too soon to do you any good. Great phone, BTW!

rash.m2k

Ouch £500??? Thats more that what the phone is worth!!!! I bet you get a real good upgrade at the end!

Would it not have been cheaper to take two phones to spain? A cheaper one to put your UK simcard inside and a local simcard to use internet on your Omnia?

spirit

If you know or think you are going to be using the phone for more than just voice calls and texts then you need to ask your SP about going on a roaming data soc (add on). At least then you will have an inclusive roaming bundle (fair usage clause applies)

purrplexxd

Thats really crap, have a look on their website its not mentioned anywhere, and the advertisement below is utterly misleading, if there are conditions attached they should state them, i have searched their terms and conditions and the requirement to use Contract WAP APN isnt stated anywhere.

see below

Want to use Mobile Internet to browse and check email when you're abroad? Our global connections mean you can get online in more countries than with any other network.

If you only look at a few web pages in a day, you’ll use less than 1MB – and you’ll only be charged for the pages you view. Looking at 4 web pages costs about 50p.

On my phone See a full list of countries on the right Less than 1MB costs up to £5 a day
Between 1MB and 15MB costs just £5 a day
More than 15MB costs £5 a day for the first 15MB, then an extra £5 per MB

(Days run from midnight to midnight UK time)

If you look at more than 40 web pages in a day, or you download files from the internet, you’ll use more than 1MB. Anything between 1MB and 15MB costs £5 a day.

Vodafone passport btw applies only to text and calls and not internet connections.

Nothing on that page or anywhere on their site that I can find states that this offer applies only Contract WAP connection, and you know what you can access WAP and Internet Sites sites through both the Contract Internet and Contract WAP connections. This is therefore an internal billing issue that they are making their customers suffer for .

I called prior to travelling what the rates were and I was quoted the rates above, so I am fuming that I get a shock in the post.

Has anyone had this checked by the telecoms ombudsman?

I have cancelled my direct debit....:) They are trying it on, I'm not having it.