MSE News: Beware mobile roaming charges in non-EU European countries

NFH

SnowTiger wrote: »

This does leave me confused. The mobile phone companies I use bill in MBytes not €. So isn't this a price cap?

No. For example:

• The current price cap is £0.69 per megabyte. The networks cannot charge you more than this price.
• The usage cap is €50 (£41.47) of data, irrespective of the price. After this usage in one month, you will not be able to use any more.

SnowTiger

NFH wrote: »

No. For example:

• The current price cap is £0.69 per megabyte. The networks cannot charge you more than this price.
• The usage cap is €50 (£41.47) of data, irrespective of the price. After this usage in one month, you will not be able to use any more.

Yes, I get that. I used the term "data cap" to mean the cap on the total cost of data. AFAIK there's no cap on the cost of calls and text messages.

Not that it really matters. Anyone who uses their mobile phone abroad shouldn't return to an unexpectedly high bill for data use, wherever they've use their phone in the world.

Calls and text messages, well, that's a different matter.

The article mentions:

Avoid bill shock

Before leaving for your holiday you can do a few simple things to avoid getting hit with a big bill, such as switching off your 3G and using free wi-fi while you're away.

Many apps and programs, as well as the operating systems themselves, routinely check for available updates and download them automatically. So be sure to turn these off.

It's also best not to watch TV and films or download music and attachments.

The "Avoid bill shock" conclusion focuses on "shock" for using data, however that won't be any more than a little over £40.

The cost of calls and text messages, which isn't capped, may be the real "shock".

NFH

SnowTiger wrote: »

The cost of calls and text messages, which isn't capped, may be the real "shock".

I doubt it. Unlike data, calls and texts don't happen passively in the background. The customer knows about every call they make and receive as well as every text they send.

SnowTiger

NFH wrote: »

I doubt it. Unlike data, calls and texts don't happen passively in the background. The customer knows about every call they make and receive as well as every text they send.

But punters don't seem to be aware of how much these things cost.

At least the total cost of data is capped. £41 isn't much of a "shock" compared to some of the huge bills that have been highlighted here and in the press.

simax

This is the reason why I now have an EE roaming plan. Off to the Canaries in July - unlimited mins and texts there. 1GB of data there is £25 on my plan so I'm all sorted

NFH

simax wrote: »

This is the reason why I now have an EE roaming plan. Off to the Canaries in July - unlimited mins and texts there. 1GB of data there is £25 on my plan so I'm all sorted

You could have paid only €7.26 with a Spanish SIM card for 1GB. Nevertheless EE's charge is a lot less than many other UK networks.

Earthworm

A good old disposable camera, some hiking boots, a sudoku book and a Nokia 3310 is all I need... Who needs Facebook on holiday

In all seriousness I don't necessarily mind higher charges abroad (not excessive) I just think capping should be essential. I would be more than happy to land in another country... Turn on my mobile data to be taken to page of international bundles for say 250MB upwards to 1GB... Each with a cost. I then have the choice to either purchase the bundle there and then on a debit card or go without and potentially take a smaller bundle towards the end of my trip. At least by paying it upfront I know what it is costing and by choosing it when I land I know it will work in the country I am in. No charges per MB and no shock bill when I return as, because I have paid my bundles upfront, the charges for those bundles will be offset by the payments made on my next bill. It seems simple enough.

Tropez

If someone is planning to use their mobile abroad then is it really that difficult to confirm with their provider potential charges they may incur for doing so?

It would take me all of a couple of minutes to check O2's roaming charges - something I could do while still in the UK, perhaps while waiting at an airport.

NFH

Tropez wrote: »

If someone is planning to use their mobile abroad then is it really that difficult to confirm with their provider potential charges they may incur for doing so?

It would take me all of a couple of minutes to check O2's roaming charges - something I could do while still in the UK, perhaps while waiting at an airport.

No, many people don't seem to bother. Wait until August and September and this forum will as usual be flooded with people complaining about roaming bills for hundreds or thousands of pounds. It's like going into a restaurant and ordering an expensive bottle of Champagne without reading the menu and then complaining about the bill.

DunPin

simax wrote: »

This is the reason why I now have an EE roaming plan. Off to the Canaries in July - unlimited mins and texts there. 1GB of data there is £25 on my plan so I'm all sorted

How did you get this? does it apply to the US? if not I'll see if they can unlock my iPhone 5 and I'll get a AT&T/T-Mobile sim.