Orange Contract Internet Abroad Charges ...

xlaurax

Any advice on the following would be greatly appreciated.

A couple of weeks ago I went on a cruise. After hearing stories about ridiculous charges for using your contract phone abroad, I never phoned anyone or sent any texts while away. However, while in Dalaman airport and on the ship I used my internet a few times which I normally get free. Again, I am aware that this is not the case abroad so only used it when I was connected to wifi (hence the reason I only used it on the ship and in the airport as both had wifi connections). I have today checked my bill online which is £67.57. The most expensive occasion was apparently in Egypt where I used 2mb and cost me £17. I did not use my phone ONCE while not connected to wifi.

My contract began last september and is 400 mins + unlimited texts + unlimited internet for £25 a month on a Blackberry 8900. I am a student and have just started a new job which I don't get paid in until past my payment date. There is no way I can afford nearly £70.

If anyone can tell me what to expect from Orange or if there is anything I can do, that would be a great help.

Jon_01

Did you switch all the BB data service off?

It keeps checking if you don't?

Orange can do a bill recalc and check the info from the roaming network. Every time the phone connects to the network it has to log its IMSI (a bit like its IMEI), so they can check this will the log file the roaming network send them.

xlaurax

Jon_01 wrote: »

Did you switch all the BB data service off?

It keeps checking if you don't?

Orange can do a bill recalc and check the info from the roaming network. Every time the phone connects to the network it has to log its IMSI (a bit like its IMEI), so they can check this will the log file the roaming network send them.

I did not switch anything off. I made sure I was connected to wifi, and thought that would be enough, I don't know anything about any BB data or how to turn it off

xlaurax

Also, I am not happy with Orange. Would I be able to cancel my contract with them over this without incurring more charges?

Jon_01

The BB doesn't know its roaming. If you don't switch the data service off it'll keep checking for new emails (assuming you have BB email running).

No, you have no grounds to cancel, no one has done anything to breach the contract, sorry.

xlaurax

Jon_01 wrote: »

The BB doesn't know its roaming. If you don't switch the data service off it'll keep checking for new emails (assuming you have BB email running).

No, you have no grounds to cancel, no one has done anything to breach the contract, sorry.

I don't have BB email set up, so it can't be that.

Ahhhhh, damn. Oh well worth a try.

reehsetin

do this now it will save you a lot in the future - blackberry menu > manage connections > mobile network options > data services > off when roaming - this means it will not transfer any data unless you are on WiFi

they would need to have breached your contract for you to cancel without penalty - they haven't done that so to cancel you'll need to pay off the remaining line rental (they do deduct a bit but not a lot)

xlaurax

Thanks, I've done that right now. Dreading giving Orange a call, thinking I'm going to need to find a way to pay this although I really can't

drbesty

There's a chance that while connected to wifi, if the phone loses the wifi signal it will automatically switch to the mobile network, then when it picks the wifi signal up again it'll switch back, you've only been charged for what you've used and if you can afford a cruise, you can probably afford the bill

xlaurax

drbesty wrote: »

There's a chance that while connected to wifi, if the phone loses the wifi signal it will automatically switch to the mobile network, then when it picks the wifi signal up again it'll switch back, you've only been charged for what you've used and if you can afford a cruise, you can probably afford the bill

I work in a call centre on minimum wage.

I went with my mum and dad and little brother and they paid. And no, before you start more generalisations, they do not have money either. We got the cruise on a last minute deal.

So no, I cannot afford nearly £70 for a mobile bill. Perhaps you should think before you stereotype without knowing anything about the person

Jon_01

Call in and go through to the billing team. Explain what's happened and see what they say.

They 'may' reduce it as its the first time it's happened, they may offer to spit it over a few months for you.

If you call between say 9:30 and 16:30 (week days) you'll get the max number of staff in and they can take time to work something out with you.

Best of luck.