International roaming charges when turned off

scottishminnie

I'm looking for some help from someone a whole lot more knowledgeable than myself.

I have a Samsung Galaxy mini which I recently used in the US to send texts. I switched the data roaming off before leaving the UK as I wished to avoid any charges and had no need for Internet access.

During the trip I received 2 messages that a download had failed and I should retry when connected (or something like that). I wasn't unduly concerned as I frequently (ever week or so) receive the same message when at home.

When I received my bill I have been charged £6 for data downloads. I contacted vodafone as I couldn't understand this having turned off the roaming as advised by their staff when I initially took the phone. They now tell me that regardless of whether I turn off roaming I cannot stop downloads being sent for software updates so cannot avoid such charges.

I'm less than impressed especially given the next comment which is that I'm lucky the download was only attempted twice.
This seems completely unreasonable - does anyone know of a way to block any kind of download attempt on this phone to avoid future recurrences?

I guess other than that for future trips I will remove the sim and place it into an ancient Motorola triband which I have languishing in a cupboard somewhere.

Thanks

grumbler

scottishminnie wrote: »

...They now tell me that regardless of whether I turn off roaming I cannot stop downloads being sent for software updates so cannot avoid such charges.

I am pretty sure it's bu11shit. What else can one expect from Vodafone?
That said, I can't explain why you uncured charges.

does anyone know of a way to block any kind of download attempt on this phone to avoid future recurrences?

Switching mobile data off altogether to be on the safe side?
Also, even in UK it's worth allowing all updates via WiFi only.

boatman

Have a check on the settings of your google play store, see if they are set to 'auto-update apps at any time' or 'auto-update over wi-fi only'. Although this should not override the data roaming setting in 'network connections' menu.
As far as I'm aware if you have data roaming un-ticked it blocks all attempts to connect while roaming.

The only time i have heard of data charges with roaming off is when uk residents go to the Channel islands or vise versa which use the same MCC code(234) as mainland UK. The phone doesn't see it as roaming and happily connects.

scottishminnie

Thanks guys. I'm truly baffled. The App Store is disabled, I only use wifi for connection here in the UK and the roaming in the connections was turned off as I was told to by Vodafone staff. I don't for one minute believe their response however despite a formal complaint they won't budge. Since I need to be contactable on that number when I'm away I think the only option is to insert the sim in a phone which has limited capabilities. - I.e an ancient one.

Not impressed with them but I shouldn't be at all surprised:(

grumbler

scottishminnie wrote: »

The App Store is disabled,

What does this mean?

despite a formal complaint they won't budge.

Because it's obviously not their fault.

Since I need to be contactable on that number when I'm away I think the only option is to insert the sim in a phone which has limited capabilities. - I.e an ancient one.

As said above, another option is to switch the bloody mobile data off.

scottishminnie

grumbler wrote: »

What does this mean?
Because it's obviously not their fault.

As said above, another option is to switch the bloody mobile data off.

I turned off any updates in the App Store previously so where it says " Auto update apps" mine states " do not auto update apps"

I didn't accuse them of it being their fault, I simply wanted an explanation as to why I'd been charged this when I'd asked their staff for advice to avoid any such situation. At no point was my complaint accusatory or shirking my own responsibilities. My big issue is the fact they can't explain something to me.

I thought, based on their advice, this was exactly what I'd done. Clearly not and since their in store staff can't, even with the phone in hand, show me how to make sure this is the case then sticking the sim in a non "data enabled" phone seems like a safe option. Or is that just another example of my stupidity?!

System

Sounds like a load of tosh TBH as I've used various (Android) phones abroad with data roaming off without charge.

The Channel Island issue doesn't exist as the phone will consider any network which isn't listed as it home network as roaming - it goes by the whole network code 234 - xx not just the country code.

T-Mobile (234-30) and Orange (234-33) users had to get an update to add each others network code so they didn't need enable data roaming and have the roaming icon displayed on the handset.

boatman wrote: »

The only time i have heard of data charges with roaming off is when uk residents go to the Channel islands or vise versa which use the same MCC code(234) as mainland UK. The phone doesn't see it as roaming and happily connects.

boatman

Heng_Leng wrote: »

The Channel Island issue doesn't exist as the phone will consider any network which isn't listed as it home network as roaming - it goes by the whole network code 234 - xx not just the country code.

I think it was limited to a version or 2 of iOS not a general or current problem, but the problem certainly occurred, its not related to this case though.

Hooloovoo

scottishminnie wrote: »

I only use wifi for connection here in the UK

Whilst in the UK, how do you ensure that the phone only uses data over WiFi and does not use 3G?

Presumably you must have mobile data turned off, which would apply anywhere in the world. So it's not obvious how any data was used at all, roaming or not.

Vodafone

Hi scottishminnie,

If you'd like me to take a closer look at this, email me with your details via the link in our profile here.

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it'll take you to the Contact us form on our website. To make sure it reaches me, quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line.

Once sent, you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. Post back with this and I’ll check I've received it.

Kind regards,

Lee

Social Media Comms

Vodafone UK

matelodave

As said above, just turn mobile data off. Then it can't try and connect wherever you are.