If you're not careful you could end up with a mountainous mobile bill on your return. Here's how to keep your mobile costs in check while you're overseas.
If you're a slave to your mobile you'll need to be particularly careful when you leave the UK, here's why:
1. Don't assume your current tariff counts abroad
It's unlikely that any minutes, texts and data download limits included with your current contract will count outside the UK. Instead, overseas usage will usually be subject to separate, often significantly higher charges and you'll be billed accordingly. So, before you go away it's really important to check what your provider charges for overseas usage so you don't get caught out.
2. Check what you'll be charged
You'll need to check how much you'll be charged for making and receiving calls, sending texts, downloading data and using voicemail.
The EU roaming rules that UK providers must adhere to place a cap on the amount you'll pay for making and receiving calls and sending texts while you're in an EU country.
- Making calls - max 32p/min excluding VAT
- Receiving calls - max 10p/min excluding VAT
- Sending texts - max 11p
- Data downloads - currently no price cap
These prices are due to be reduced year on year until 2014, as the EU tightens up its rules on roaming charges. In the future you can expect to pay a maximum of:*
| From July, 2012 | From July, 2013 | From July, 2014 | |
| Making Calls | 24p/min | 20p/min | 16p/min |
| Receiving Calls | 7p/min | 6p/min | 4p/min |
| SMS Messages | 7p/min | 7p/min | 5p/min |
| Data Roaming | 58p/mb | 37p/mb | 17p/mb |
*All prices are subject to exchange rates. You can view the price in euros on the EU website.
However, these changes don't apply to non-EU countries and the cost of calls, texts and data could be significantly higher. Your provider will have country by country call costs listed on their website so always check what you'll be charged before you travel.
3. Check that your usage limit is capped
In accordance with EU regulations your provider should place a monthly cap on data downloads while you're overseas; this will be approximately £45 but will vary from provider to provider.
You'll need to be careful as not all providers automatically enforce this limit, some require you to opt-in while you're still in the UK so you'll need to check. You also have the option to increase or decrease this limit should you wish.
The amount of data you'll be able to download for £45 will depend very much on how much your provider charges for internet access overseas. You'll also need to check when their daily usage limits for data apply; some work on UK time instead of the time at your holiday destination!
From 1st July, 2012, you will get a warning (either via text message, email or pop-up window) when you near £41 worth of data downloads on your mobile while out of the UK but in the EU.
So, it's well worth investigating prices and daily usage policies before you go to find out just how much checking your emails or watching a video on YouTube will cost you.
4.Turn off your voicemail
You'll be charged for picking up messages from your voicemail when you're overseas but you may also be charged when people leave them, even if your phone is off. For this reason it's really important to find out what your provider's policy is and what they charge.
If you aren't worried about using voicemail while you're away then the best thing to do is to simply turn it off while you're overseas. Your provider should have instructions on their website that explain how to do this.
5. Turn off your phones' data roaming facility
Smartphones that automatically pick up emails, like Blackberrys, constantly connect to the web even when you're overseas. This could prove very costly so it's a good idea to disable your phone's data connection facility before you go abroad.
Investigate cheaper alternatives
There are ways to cut the cost of calls and internet usage while you're overseas. As the difference can sometimes be significant it's worth investigating your options.
For instance, make the most of free wi-fi access offered by your hotel, consider adding an overseas bolt-on to your contract before you go or even look into getting a local or international roaming SIM to use while you're overseas (your phone will need to be unlocked for this).
From 1st July, 2014, you will be able to have a separate mobile phone contract for roaming, in addition to your standard contract for use at home. This will run alongside your ‘home’ contract, can be with a different network and will even let you use the same phone number, meaning you can shop around to get the best mobile roaming deal.
