Paying for receiving mobile calls when you don't answer

Moineysaver

I have just returned from Thailand to find that Tescomobile have charged me for receiving calls even though I didn't answer my phone. I didn't recognise the numbers so I didn't answer. Tescomobile charge £1.49 per call even though  you don't answer. Is this standard for mobile phone providers?

elsien

Did it go to voicemail, because if so, then would the call have counted as connected? 

simax

If the phone rings and the call gets diverted to voicemail when you’re abroad, yes. It’s always been that way when roaming outside the EU area because technically the divert is effectively another call back to the UK. Doesn’t do that in the EU however but elsewhere outside the EU most definitely (yes I know we’re not in the EU anymore but it’s an EU rule when you’re in that area)…

amanda1024

simax said:

If the phone rings and the call gets diverted to voicemail when you’re abroad, yes. It’s always been that way when roaming outside the EU area because technically the divert is effectively another call back to the UK. Doesn’t do that in the EU however but elsewhere outside the EU most definitely (yes I know we’re not in the EU anymore but it’s an EU rule when you’re in that area)…

Is there any way to turn this off? I often use my phone connected to wifi with roaming, mobile data off, but if I'm going to get charged per missed call maybe need to not take a phone at all? 

oldernonethewiser

The issue may be that someone calls you, you can't/don't answer, call gets diverted to voicemail, caller decides not to leave a voicemail but as a connection has been made you get charged.

You should be able to turn the voicemail function off on any phone.

elsien

Your provider will tell you how you can turn voicemail off. 

Olinda99

 turn off voicemail.

how? depends on your provider. some you have to call.them, others you call a number or send a text (eg EE text VM OFF to 150)

ballyblack

Simply dial 2915 to TURN OFF on Tesco mobile

PHK

Moineysaver said:

I have just returned from Thailand to find that Tescomobile have charged me for receiving calls even though I didn't answer my phone. I didn't recognise the numbers so I didn't answer. Tescomobile charge £1.49 per call even though  you don't answer. Is this standard for mobile phone providers?

This is completely normal and why providers tell you to turn your voicemail off and get a suitable roaming plan. 

eDicky

Voicemail divert and retrieval when roaming used to be free with Orange (maybe other networks), but when EE took over that ended. Charges are normal with any network now, disable voicemail when outside Europe unless needed. There was an MSE article about this, perhaps still existing. It may be possible with some networks to set up an announcement that a caller cannot leave voicemail and should send an SMS, for example.

Moineysaver

Thanks to all for your replies. I'll make sure to turn it off on my next trip.