Most people will be happy to hear that they can now use their phones abroad without additional roaming costs, thanks to new EU rules which were set in motion last month. These additional charges have been known to break the bank and bore deep holes in pockets. So, this will hopefully see phone bills become bearable when jet setting across Europe, and let holidaymakers share the sun, sea and sights across social media for the same price as they would at home.
One can continue to text, call and use their mobile data in 28 countries across Europe and pay the same as they would in the UK. Those with contracts also benefit, as most networks will let you use your agreed allowance as part of your original deal.
However, it is recommended to check with your provider just how much data you can actually use when abroad, as some networks regulate under the “fair use” scheme. This means that there is a limit on how much data you are entitled to. Clearing this up with your provider in advance allows you to enjoy your holiday stress-free, without the weight of additional roaming charges getting you down.
It is important to know that these new rules are aimed at those who are on holiday, not those who are living abroad, and whether you’re in the UK or abroad, international calls to an EU number also come at a cost.
The 28 countries where new roaming rules have been reinforced are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Despite being in Europe, Switzerland, Turkey and Serbia are not included, alongside other destinations across the world outside the EU. If you wish to use your phone as normal in these countries, expect preposterous prices especially when using data platforms. It is advised to determine exactly how high the cost will be, and if required, request a cap on your account from your provider. This will free you from returning home to find a frightening bill and make sure you aren’t spending millions on your mobile by mistake.
Check with your provider for additional bolt-ons to your contract which despite being expensive can reduce costs in the long term.
When travelling, it pays to be aware of the tips and tricks out there, so you pay less:
Where available, a secure Wi-Fi network lets you surf the net and social sites for free or minimal charge.
Wi-Fi applications like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber and Messenger allow you to audio call and video call friends and family from France to Finland, free!
Make sure data is turned off when it is not being used so you are not being charged for background data often resulting from app refresh. This occurs without you knowing and when you aren’t even on your phone.
Call your provider and ask for voicemail to be temporarily switched off as you can get charged for receiving messages whether you check them or not.
Offline maps are a good way to navigate without using data. Switching data on and off will mount up and you could be faced with a hefty bill.
Research other providers and find the best deal for you. That could mean switching to ensure your inclusive data, minutes and texts are suitable for use in selected countries outside the EU.
Stephanie Antoniou