Ferry trip from NI to Scotland attracts International charge from 3 Mobile

bluezetc

My daughter is at Uni in Glasgow and was home for mid-term in March. Realising that lockdown was coming my son booked a ferry trip from Belfast to Cairnryan and he and my daughter drove to glasgow, picked up all her stuff and returned the same day. They both had their 3 Mobile phones with them and although switched on they weren't using them for any more that normal keeping in touch. The shock came when the next 3 bill came through. My daughter was charged £49.97 for a total of 7.15Mb (yes Mb not Gb) of "internet and data usage while abroad". My son had a similar charge. There is obviously a little bit of the Irish sea between NI and Scotland that qualifies as International waters but I think these sorts of charges are wholly outrageous! My son, who is usually very good at this sort of thing got onto 3 as soon as got his bill. But by that time we were in pandemic mode and contact with 3 was difficult but when he did eventually get through they were totally unsympathetic and refused to waive the charge. I am sure others have experienced this and I would be keen to know if anyone has found a way to resolve it and get a refund. Better than that, somebody needs to force three to review their charging algorithm to ensure that a journey that most normal people would assume is totally within the UK can't attract a charge for International usage. Apparently the ferry companies do sometimes issue warnings over the PA, but not on every journey.

ballyblack

it was always thus, roaming in international waters

switch of data roaming when you board

Wellard_Mann

Yes. It's a satellite network and a lot more expensive than onshore networks. I've never heard a PA announcement on the trips I've made  but there's always been a notice to that effect on the ferry companies' websites. Although I've not made an Irish Sea crossing, as far as I know there is no international water between England and France and at first glance one might expect to either be on either a UK or EU network. Not so.

elsien

ballyblack said:

it was always thus, roaming in international waters

switch of data roaming when you board

Isn't roaming in the EU meant to be free at the moment? So where does the charge come in?
Or does that bit of sea not count?  

eDicky

This is probably automatic connection to the ship's satellite link when out of range of the Three terrestrial signal during the voyage. With roaming disabled in phone settings it should not occur.

PHK

eDicky said:

This is probably automatic connection to the ship's satellite link when out of range of the Three terrestrial signal during the voyage. With roaming disabled in phone settings it should not occur.

This, the phones probably connected to the Maritime network. Which is always very pricey. 

nick74

elsien said:

ballyblack said:

it was always thus, roaming in international waters

switch of data roaming when you board

Isn't roaming in the EU meant to be free at the moment? So where does the charge come in?
Or does that bit of sea not count?  

Using a maritime network whilst at sea is not included in the EU roaming regs.

Chino

From https://www.stenaline.co.uk/faqs/onboard/what-operator-charges-apply-if-i-use-my-mobile-phone-onboard :

WHAT OPERATOR CHARGES APPLY IF I USE MY MOBILE PHONE ONBOARD?

Whilst you can enjoy the flexibility of using your mobile phone onboard, it is important to note that the mobile network is delivered by Telenor Maritime and that costs to receive and make calls and/or SMS messages will be higher than those charged whilst on land.

The costs charged to you are not within Stena Line’s control. If your mobile phone picks up the Telenor Maritime network you should receive an SMS informing you that you are now on the Telenor Maritime network and that call rates are charged at International mobile phone rates which are considerably higher than your regular call costs, the details of which you should obtain from your own service provider.

Important information: EU Roaming fees

Whilst roaming charges when travelling in EU countries ended on 15 June 2017 the EU roaming rules only apply when you are connected to terrestrial mobile networks. The EU binding price cap does not apply if you use your mobile phone onboard via the ferry’s satellite connection and therefore the charges set by your network provider can be high.

Exemplar

elsien said:

ballyblack said:

it was always thus, roaming in international waters

switch of data roaming when you board

Isn't roaming in the EU meant to be free at the moment? So where does the charge come in?
Or does that bit of sea not count?  

You are at Sea therefore it's not EU roaming, sorry, not what you want to hear. We had a guy on a Ferry between Greece/ Italy who ran up £1500 in an hour.

Supatramp

I use that ferry service quite regularly, know about the system, and simply switch on aeroplane mode.  As we're coming into the ports, usually by then back in the car on the vehicle deck, I simple switch off aeroplane, and I've never incurred additional charges.

But I'm regularly alarmed at folk using their mobiles during the crossing, and wonder if they know about the charges.

suki1964

Im another who regularly crosses and whilst I don't switch to airplane mode, I only use the onboard wifi 

Its only a 2 hour crossing