Consumer rights expert Martyn James explains how data roaming works – and how using your phone when on holiday and be very costly
If you’ve been on holiday recently, chances are you’ll have seen your fellow tourists sat round the pool, dining out or on the beach… staring intently at their phones. We are so addicted to our phones and access to the internet that being separated from them can seem inconceivable.
But using your phone abroad can be very costly indeed if you don’t know the rules. Welcome to the world of data roaming. One of the unexpected consequences of Brexit was the reintroducing of charges for using your phone abroad. This never went away for non-EU countries.
But many a tourist has been caught by surprise due to hefty bills for using their phones and devices away from the safety of hotel Wi-Fi. Many parents will also be anxiously checking their kids’ phones too, in case they’ve missed vital warning texts about charges. So what is data roaming and what do we need to watch out for?
What is data roaming?
Data roaming refers to the costs you may encounter for using your phone or other internet-connected devices when you are outside of the UK. When your plane lands and you turn on a device that connects to the internet, your service provider will search for the nearest local network and connect you to it. Depending on your agreement with your service provider, this may cost you nothing… or it may cost you a lot.
Ofcom – who regulate the industry – found that a fifth of all holiday makers were not aware that using their phones abroad could involve higher charges – and a further fifth didn’t do any research on what those charges might be before traveling. When we connect to the internet away from home, we use our “data allowance” – the amount of data your contract says you can use online each month. When abroad you’ll usually have to pay more for this data usage unless your phone provider allows free roaming. You’ll also pay for traditional mobile phone functions too, like calls, texts, and sending pictures.
After Brexit many UK networks reintroduced data roaming charges. These start around £2 a day in the EU. However, in non-EU countries, you always could run up titanic bills for using your data or phone. In many cases, the lack of warnings meant people didn’t realise that their time online was costing them a fortune.
How do I avoid big data roaming bills?
Here’s some good news for travellers! From October 2024, mobile phone companies have to notify us when we start ‘roaming’. They’ll also need to be clear about charges and when they apply, so we don’t get caught out by hefty costs. But how do you avoid big bills?
The simplest option is to use free Wi-Fi where you are staying for big data downloads, holiday planning and phone calls. Wi-Fi abroad is improving but can still be a little flaky, so remember to check regularly that it is actually on. You don’t want to be downloading a film for the return flight only to find that the Wi-Fi has switched off.
Most mobile phone companies allow you to set your own spending limits abroad – but often only for data, so beware of those calls and texts (particularly sending pictures and videos). You can also buy “add on” or “bolt on” roaming packages but make sure you speak to the supplier first so you understand exactly how they work.
Another option is an eSim. This doesn’t involve swapping the sim card in your phone. Think of it more as a virtual Sim card that you buy, load up with cash and use with your phone. This will give you “local rates for local people” and can be much cheaper. But watch out for call and text charges which aren’t usually covered by the eSim. You can also just buy an actual Sim card for pay as you go abroad, though your number will change.
You may also want to switch off your voicemail. I was recently contacted by a reader who told me that she’d been hit with £200 just for receiving voicemail messages. Of course, if you are super cautious, you can just stay on airline mode when you are out and about on holiday.
A big controversy over the last few years has been charges incurred while in ‘international skies or waters. I’ve heard about numerous occasions when people’s phones connected to mysterious networks as they travelled by boat around the world or by plane. Obviously, your phone should be in airline mode in the air, but be wary if you are cruising.
- Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist.
