MSE News: iPhone users still hit by surprise data roaming charges 23 November 2012 at 4:09PM in Mobiles 47 replies 6.8K views

Former_MSE_Helen

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iPhone users still hit by surprise data roaming charges

fusionblue

So to avoid the entire completely, turn data (not roaming data while abroad, but data entirely) off while at the airport.

Mattjimf

I turned off my wife's data connection as she doesn't use internet on her phone home or abroad (I got her a 3GS as her old phone was not working). After being on holiday the connection turned itself back on and we got charged for data usage, even though she has a tariff without a data plan and as far as we both were aware her data connection was switched off.

So it's not only when abroad it can happen.

houseofcards

I wonder if asking the network to switch off all data capabilities would work. About 5 yrs ago I worked for o2 , you could do this for a customer whatever tariff they were on, however it would also block mms (picture messaging)

bobdibest

The trick is not data roaming but data in its entirely. The phone leaks data via 3G firstly, then cellular data.

In iOS6 its easier than previous versions:

Settings>General>Cellular>Cellular Data and Enable 3G - both switch to Off

Then Go to Mail settings and switch Push to off too and then set to Manual at the bottom, not one of the time factor options i.e. every 15 minutes etc.

In iOS5 and older you need to manually turn off via settings the following:

notifications off,
location services off,
3G and cellular data off and
Mail set push to off and manual (as above)

This will stop all data charges.

To be sure only use wifi when in flight mode, then you're sure to avoid accidentally downloading data.

Caddyman

Just returned from South Africa and had no problems with my old 3G model. I had my data roaming turned off from the moment I left the UK. I download every ios update anyway and I'm on PAYG so no nasty data surprises. No troubles whatsoever using free airport wifi at Johannesburg.

Jimx26

It isn't NASA, cellular data off yes/no or put airplane mode on.

rodrigopr84

I have an Iphone 4s on 6.01 an still having the issue, have to pay an extra £3 month to get unlimited date so I dont need to bother, its a pain this problem.

NFH

The answer is not to use a UK SIM card when outside the UK. Instead get a local SIM card from the visited country and put a voicemail greeting on your UK number telling callers to call you on your foreign mobile number. Then you'll pay the same prices as a local instead of rip-off roaming charges. Don't buy SIM-locked handsets either; buy SIM-free handsets and get a much cheaper SIM-only contract.

hungryheart

I have an iPhone 3GS on Vodafone.
This month I busted my 500mb limit half way through the month when I normally us half of it.
3g is limited anyway in my rural area, and when at home the iPhone runs of my wireless home network.

When I queried this sudden surge of use they couldn't explain why it had happened and accused me of overuse if the 3G facility this month.
I said this is not possible as a have a very good download monitor app installed on the phone to stop this scenario happening.

When I kept pushing the Vodafone contact he said he had an iPhone himself, and knew of similar data excess use complaints.

His advice was to switch off 3g and data when not using it.
He also admitted there may be a software problem which takes you out of your WiFi network and kicks you into 3G mode instead, thus causing massive data depletion if you think you are streaming etc on WiFi when in fact if has erroneously switched to 3G.

BY THE WAY THIS WAS IN MY FRONT ROOM IN THE UK NOT ABROAD !

I'd be interested if anyone else had had a similar experience with WiFi/3G and if any mobile operators insiders can tell us if this is limited just to Vodafone ?

Caddyman

NFH wrote: »

The answer is not to use a UK SIM card when outside the UK. Instead get a local SIM card from the visited country and put a voicemail greeting on your UK number telling callers to call you on your foreign mobile number. Then you'll pay the same prices as a local instead of rip-off roaming charges. Don't buy SIM-locked handsets either; buy SIM-free handsets and get a much cheaper SIM-only contract.

Mmm, not quite as simple as you think in South Africa. Every sim card has to be registered to a name and address under their RICA law. I visit SA often and I'm lucky enough to have plenty of friends who give me access to email. I just put a message on my own mobile to say I can't take any voice calls and leave it in aircraft mode or switch it off so I don't receive calls on it from the UK. Very liberating!