Ofcom: worldwide data roaming cap?!

grumbler

I was sure it was for EU only, but as posted by helpthejuggler in another thread:

helpthejuggler wrote: »

...
consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2013/03/check-your-phone-before-you-roam/

.....

All mobile operators have to apply a cut-off limit once you have used €50 (excluding VAT) – around £40 – of data per month, wherever you travel in the world unless you choose to opt out.

If you don’t opt out of the limit, the provider must send you an alert when you reach 80% and then 100% of the agreed data roaming limit. Operators must stop charging for data at the 100% point, unless you agree to continue to use data....

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2013/03/check-your-phone-before-you-roam/

Opinions?

ZhugeEX

I swear no operator enforces this rule? Or is this a new thing?

grumbler

I think it's Ofcom's business to enforce their regulations.

SnowTiger

grumbler wrote: »

I was sure it was for EU only, but as posted by helpthejuggler in another thread:

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2013/03/check-your-phone-before-you-roam/

Opinions?

Probably a typo. But worth printing out and keeping.

ZhugeEX

grumbler wrote: »

I think it's Ofcom's business to enforce their regulations.

Sure but is it guarenteed that Ofcom definately should of enforced these regulations to the seperate networks. Also how would a customer opt out/go through with the withdrawel as to not loose money....

I'm sorry



I guess what i meant in my last post was is their any evidence of networks enforcing this outisde of the EU. Every person i know who has used data roaming has gone over £40 no problem without ever needing to opt out or whatever.

grumbler

English isn't my first language, but I think the correct term for networks is to 'comply with', not to 'enforce'.

ZhugeEX

grumbler wrote: »

English isn't my first language, but I think the correct term for networks is to 'comply with', not to 'enforce'.

Either you missed my joke or the joke was just so bad you missed it on purpose

Techhead_2

I'm sure it's a mistake on the Ofcom page. The cut off was an EU thing. So, unless the regulations have changed without any other mention by Ofcom and all the operators are ignoring it, then I think it's an error.

helpthejuggler

Whether it is an error or not, I referred to this info in my dispute with Talkmobile and they quickly agreed to cover the charges.

This was following their 3 week investigation of my complaint concluded that their charges would stand.

Initially they claimed it was EU only until I mentioned the OFCOM site. I half-think they know about it but are playing dumb to keep the charges unless you know better.

Need to get this more publicity if possible....

NFH

Talk Mobile is a rip-off and is blatantly breaching Regulation (EU) No 531/2012, which applies throughout the European Economic Area. According to Talk Mobile's prices, they charge £7.50/MB for data (13 times the price cap of £0.58/MB) in the following EEA countries and territories:

• Norway (EEA, non-EU)
• Iceland (EEA, non-EU)
• Liechtenstein (EEA, non-EU)
• Reunion (an integral part of France and the EU)
• French Guiana (an integral part of France and the EU)
• Guadeloupe (an integral part of France and the EU)
• Martinique (an integral part of France and the EU)
• Canary Islands (an integral part of Spain and the EU)
• Gibraltar (a special member state territory of the EU)

All these places are outside the EU VAT area so no VAT is chargeable when roaming there in accordance with Article 19 of the Value Added Tax (Place of Supply of Services) Order 1992. Other UK networks charge no more than the price cap of 58p/MB (€0.70 x 0.8293) for data roaming in these places. Why does Talk Mobile think it is entitled to flout the law by breaching the cap?

redux

Techhead wrote: »

I'm sure it's a mistake on the Ofcom page. The cut off was an EU thing. So, unless the regulations have changed without any other mention by Ofcom and all the operators are ignoring it, then I think it's an error.

It's not an error, but entirely correct. It was changed last year from within the EU to worldwide, though of course only applies to EU based networks.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-316_en.htm

Bill shock: better information when travelling outside the EU

To help avoid "bill shock" from 1st July 2012, people travelling outside the EU will get a
warning text message, email or pop-up window when they are nearing €50 of data
downloads, or their pre-agreed level.

Consumers will then have to confirm they are happy to go over this level in order to
continue their data roaming.

This extends the alert system currently in place within the EU.

And your surmise that operators are ignoring it is also incorrect. I just saw it mentioned on the relevant page of a UK network's website.

2. Where does the Data Roaming Cap apply? The Data Roaming Cap applies to all countries.