MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingsExpert has issued an urgent warning over how to avoid losing thousands of pounds in mobile phone roaming fees.
The alert comes as travellers heading off abroad on their summer holidays face finding themselves hit with massive surprise bills.
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The financial guru’s consumer advice website has now issued tips on making sure you’re not paying too high a price for every call and text, as well as when browsing the internet on your mobile.
A loophole dating back to 2020 is now hitting Brits in their pockets.
It used to be that you could travel in Europe using your existing call, text and data allowances at no extra cost.
Yet higher-priced roaming charges have now been reintroduced by three of the leading mobile providers – EE, Vodafone and Three.
The latest update from the consumer site overseen by Martin Lewis, familiar to viewers of ITV‘s Good Morning Britain, sets out how to bring down your bills when exploring abroad.
They say: “If you’re with a provider that charges for roaming in the country you’re planning on taking a trip to, don’t worry.
“We’ve got a whole host of tips, whether you’re heading to Europe or travelling further afield.”
The advice being offered includes the option of simply switching off roaming options on your phone.
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Yet other practical ideas include turning off your voicemail and using only wi-fi whenever possible.
The consumer gurus also recommend checking with your individual mobile phone providers whether they have automatic spending caps for roaming – or else “fair use” policies.
They also highlight the power of being “beach use ready”, by downloading any movies or music you want to enjoy before you get going – as well as any boarding passes necessary at airports.
And for any holiday-makers on cruises rather than in the air or on land, they say to “be careful” after hearing of expensive “horror stories”.
The alert warned: “It’s easy to inadvertently connect to a ‘maritime’ network or a neighbouring country, which may be classed as outside of Europe and so be more costly.
“We’ve heard horror stories of travellers running up huge bills by doing this.
“To be safe, make use of any free wi-fi options on board, or just restrict use of your phone to days when you’re back on dry land and always check the network your phone connects to.”
The guidance comes after Sky customers were warned over surprise mobile data charges when holidaying in Europe this summer.
Industry watchdog Ofcom has put forward proposals that would require providers to tell customers when they have started using their phones abroad.
Various providers currently charge customers to use their phones abroad, whether through text, calls or internet.
EE charges customers £2 a day or £10 a month for using up to 50GB of data each month.
Meanwhile, O2 doesn’t charge you for using your phone abroad, but it does have a monthly data limit of 25GB.
Three charges customers £2 a day for using their phones in the EU, and £5 a day outside this area.
Vodafone charges between £1 and £6 a day depending on what package you have and where you are visiting.
Some mobile networks still allow customers to use their pay monthly UK data allowance while abroad in the EU free of charge.
These include BT Mobile and Plusnet, iD Mobile, O2, Virgin Mobile and Smarty – with others also doing so.
