Martin Lewis has issued a warning over simple mobile roaming mistakes that could cost you £6 a day.
The MoneySavingExpert has warned Brits to be aware of how each mobile network company defines their “daily” roaming charge when you’re holidaying abroad in the EU. The consumer group has also called for stronger consumer protections around EU data roaming and said mobile phone operators should be forced to make their rules around data roaming in the EU clearer.
It has called on telecoms regulator Ofcom and the Government to tighten the rules after some post-Brexit consumer protections expired. In a new report, MSE warned that because a range of legal obligations for operators around roaming ended on June 30 this year, firms no longer have to send customers a text message with pricing details when they start roaming; operate a monthly cap on data roaming fees; or provide protections against inadvertent roaming.
Some of the UK’s biggest networks have reintroduced data roaming charges in Europe after the UK left the EU. Mobile firms were previously banned from charging extra fees to use your UK allowance – calls, texts and data – while holidaying in the EU.
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This now no longer applies because the Brexit transition is over – and many of the major network providers have already reintroduced these roaming costs. It means millions of families now face an additional cost when holidaying in the EU – on top of the rising cost of living.
MSE’s report also raised concerns around different providers using different definitions of a ‘day’ of roaming, which it said was causing confusion and risking unexpected costs. EE describes a day use in the EU as anything up to 11.59pm UK time, the same day.
So if you sign up at 11.58pm, you would only get a minute’s worth of data for your money. Vodafone charges £2 which lasts 24 hours from first use in the EU – but in the rest of the world, it charges £6 for roaming and this ends at 11.59pm in the capital of the country being visited.
Three customers are charged £2 a “day” which is also 24 hours from first use. The network provider also offers £5 a “day” data passport for unlimited data in the UK and 89 destinations – but only up to 11.59pm UK time.
Some smaller piggyback networks have introduced charges too. Virgin Media O2 is the only network giant still offering roaming at no extra cost – although it has changed its “fair use” policy, which is separate from roaming fees.
“Fair use” caps the amount of your UK data allowance you can use for free while roaming in Europe. Mobile firms were allowed to set “fair use” caps before Brexit.
Martin said: “I’ve no faith in mobile firms to self-regulate. When we left the EU, they promised not to reintroduce European roaming charges… yet most of the big networks have broken that promise.
“So our report calls on Ofcom not to trust voluntary promises – we need to reintroduce the formal, compulsory consumer protections.
“And it’s time too, to define time. We need to ban a daily roaming fee charged for use ‘up to 11.59pm’ without even mentioning in which time zone.
“Instead, we recommend all providers must define a roaming ‘day’ as a 24-hour period from first use, clearly explain that in the arrival text, and alert customers at least an hour before the daily charges end.”
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Ofcom is currently considering the options for future roaming protections for customers, looking at the risk of consumer harm and how to best protect customers in this area.
“We will take these findings into account as part of this process.”
How to cut your mobile phone bill
If you’ve got a holiday booked and you’re worried about roaming costs, Uswitch has shared five top tips to cut your phone bill.
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To save your data allowance, use hotel and café Wi-Fi connections whenever possible. You can also enable Wi-Fi calling or use services such as Whatsapp to make audio calls without using your minutes.
- Download any maps, shows, films and music before traveling to avoid data costs abroad.
- You may not have the same data allowances abroad as you do in the UK. Check your fair usage policy to avoid paying more.
- Sometimes even receiving a voicemail on holiday can cost you. Call up your network provider before you travel and get it switched off.
- If you’re with a provider that has roaming charges it’s worth considering buying a one-month SIM-only deal that will cover you for your time away.
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