As outlined in our article last July, charges for using mobile phones in EU countries, are about to return.
They won’t be at the same (sometimes extortionate) levels imposed by the mobile networks prior to 2017, but most networks are re-introducing fees this year, as the Brexit trade deal allows them to do so.
What is each network doing?
Vodafone. Charges of £2 per day when roaming in Europe, will start at the end of January. Eight-day and 15-day passes will be available for £1 a day.
EE. Will also be charging £2 per day. The start date has been delayed from January to March.
Three. Charges don’t start until May of this year. As well as a £2 daily roaming fee in Europe, there will also be a £5 daily fee when roaming in some other countries outside of the EU.
Virgin Media O2. Currently has not announced any plans to re-introduce roaming fees.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes. Firstly, none of the networks will be charging for roaming in the Republic of Ireland.
Secondly, the networks that are reintroducing fees will not impose them on customers who took out a new or upgraded contract in the last few months. (The exact date varies from network to network.)
Fair use limits
Whether or not your network imposes roaming fees on your account, there are still “fair use limits” on the amount of time that customers will be allowed to use their phones abroad.
Operators will charge UK customers extra if they spend more than half their time overseas – generally measured by being in another country for more than 62 days in a four-month period.
There are also fair use restrictions on the amount of data used. Customers are allowed a daily data limit (varying between networks) above which a charge per GB may be applied.
As always, the advice is to check with your mobile provider before leaving the UK, what the exact terms of your contract are, and what extra fees may apply at your particular destination.
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