Any providers left that allow free data roaming?

Astria

I've been on a Three Advanced sim for years, typically paying between £7 and £10/month for unlimited calls, texts, and between 8 and 12GB of data a month depending on contract, which included roaming in most countries, particularly in the EU and USA where I've used it quite a bit over the years. However, this is coming to an end in April of this year when my contract expires and the new contracts don't offer the ability without a daily fee.

So I ask, is there any other provider which allows to use data at least in the EU without a daily fee? I don't mind paying extra for the USA.

Or must I start searching out those WiFi spots next time I frequent abroad?

Neil49

There are plenty of providers who currently say that they intend to carry on providing EU roaming as part of their standard contracts. If you want to stay with the Three network then ID mobile should be ideal for you. You can either have an annual contract or go for a rolling 30 one. Sometimes the benefits between the two are minimal given the number of promotions they have on either uswitch, Quidco, MSE (check the mobiles section of this site) and others.

Alternatively, I'm with O2 and they say that they are continuing free EU roaming. Want to use the Vodafone network, then look at Asda mobile. For the EE network take a look at Plusnet with their Roam like at Home feature.

Oh, I forgot Lebara who run on the Vodafone network. 

There are plenty more if you do the research. 

Hope this helps. 

Astria

any particular network you recommend? I only stayed with three for the roaming, but I don't mind moving now. I guess it's who offered the cheapest deal now!

dc_scotland

If you are happy with the Three network, you may want to consider Smarty.

J_B

Astria said:

However, this is coming to an end in April of this year when my contract expires and the new contracts don't offer the ability without a daily fee.

Can you not stay on the contract and keep the roaming deal?

Astria

J_B said:

Astria said:

However, this is coming to an end in April of this year when my contract expires and the new contracts don't offer the ability without a daily fee.

Can you not stay on the contract and keep the roaming deal?

They say my contract no longer exists and I need to choose a different plan, none of which have roaming included any more, so I think I need to change provider, even if they actually use three as the carrier! Daft I know.

Maybe it is time to change carrier ? I've been with three for about 10 years.

Bigphil1474

I'm with Vodaphone, and it says "take your home plan abroad to 51 European destinations. Use your usual allowance of data, minutes and text at no extra cost. Inclusive roaming data on all unlimited plans has a 25gb roaming fair use policy"

BUFF

I suspect that any new contract taken out with anybody that isn't using O2 as their network provider is going to pay for roaming in Europe atm. Check O2/Giffgaff/Sky/Tesco & Lycamobile.

EE, Three & Vodafone have all announced reintroduction of charges.Three currently aren't introducing additional charges on PAYG but are on monthly contracts but it sounds like the op uses enough that PAYG probably isn't the best solution for them.

Neil49

Astria said:

J_B said:

Astria said:

However, this is coming to an end in April of this year when my contract expires and the new contracts don't offer the ability without a daily fee.

Can you not stay on the contract and keep the roaming deal?

They say my contract no longer exists and I need to choose a different plan, none of which have roaming included any more, so I think I need to change provider, even if they actually use three as the carrier! Daft I know.

Maybe it is time to change carrier ? I've been with three for about 10 years.

You had the same message as I did, basically take out a new contract and be subject to roaming charges or leave. 

I nearly went to ID Mobile as they have some very good deals and use the Three network but the O2 promotion including free coffee at Caffè Nero once a week more than offset the £6 a month charge.

Thomas_Crown

BUFF said:

EE, Three & Vodafone have all announced reintroduction of charges.Three currently aren't introducing additional charges on PAYG but are on monthly contracts but it sounds like the op uses enough that PAYG probably isn't the best solution for them.

Three had the 3-2-1 PAYG tariff which included free roaming. Following a massive price increase, that tariff is now 10-10-5 but Three prefer to call it the Standard PAYG tariff. It's no wonder that free roaming is included in that tariff.

BUFF

Thomas_Crown said:

BUFF said:

EE, Three & Vodafone have all announced reintroduction of charges.Three currently aren't introducing additional charges on PAYG but are on monthly contracts but it sounds like the op uses enough that PAYG probably isn't the best solution for them.

Three had the 3-2-1 PAYG tariff which included free roaming. Following a massive price increase, that tariff is now 10-10-5 but Three prefer to call it the Standard PAYG tariff. It's no wonder that free roaming is included in that tariff.

If you are a low user though it still beats having a minimum £2 day or whatever charge to use your included UK allowances "free". & you have the option of adding something like this https://www.three.co.uk/payg-data-packs

I did caveat that it probably wasn't the best solution for the op given suggested usage.