Don’t Let Mobile Roaming Charges Get You Down This Summer

By November 2023, it was reported that 13.6 million Brits had already booked their 2024 travel plans, a survey commissioned by American Express found. Sharing snaps online, navigating your way around a new destination and video calling with family members are all part of the travel experience. But this can come at a cost. In light of new rules confirmed by Ofcom, SIM-only mobile provider spusu explains how to avoid major mobile roaming charges.

The changes to charges

After the Brexit transition period ended on 1 January, 2021, the legal assurance of free roaming for UK mobile users in 47 EU destinations was removed. From then, the decision on charges for cross-border calls and data usage became the responsibility of every mobile provider. Other protections, including a daily limit on roaming costs, expired on June 30, 2022.

Currently, when traveling to different countries, the cost of making calls, sending texts and using mobile data will vary based on your destination and your network's roaming policy. Different providers will offer different roaming services and costs, meaning they could offer inclusive roaming, or you may need to purchase an add-on or pay standard daily roaming rates.

As of 2024, the way in which mobile operators monitor and charge for international roaming varies. Some providers have no additional costs, or some charge daily rates of up to £2.25 per day, depending on whether you are part of a contract or a pay-as-you-go plan.

Updates from Ofcom

But even with spending caps and daily rates, many Brits are still facing hefty costs. To prevent customers facing ‘bill shock’ when they return from a holiday, Ofcom revealed in March 2024 that there will be new rules in place to protect customers.

As of October 1, 2024, mobile providers will be required to inform customers when they start roaming and provide them with better information that enables them to make more informed decisions about how and when to use their mobile abroad. Specifically, the information must include any fair use limits or time limits that apply, whether a spend cap limit can be set up and where to find additional information about roaming.

Holidays can be expensive enough and the last thing holidaymakers want is to be hit with an unexpected mobile bill. But, with the rules not being enforced until October, customers will endure another summer of unclear roaming charges. So, what can be done to prevent being caught out?

Keeping costs down

Understanding how your mobile provider charges for its services while abroad can help to prevent costly bills, but there are proactive things you can do too.
Firstly, one of the main things that will catch you out is the mobile data function in your phone’s settings. Always ensure this is off and connect to local WiFi at your accommodation or in public places where possible.

Although it may not always be possible to keep mobile data switched off, consider reserving its use exclusively for emergencies, should they happen. Whether you’re someone who loves to explore on holiday, or you prefer to relax on the beach, it’s fair to say that many of us will consider an itinerary for our trip. By planning things like restaurant bookings and travel time in advance, you’ll limit the need for any last-minute Google searches on the go.

Lastly, before you’ve even made it to your destination, ensure to download any entertainment you’ll use such as films, files and eBooks. Just one hour of Netflix streaming can use 1GB of data, so you don’t want to get caught short.

One of the surest ways to keep costs down is by opting for a provider that doesn’t charge for EU roaming. All of spusu’s plans come with free roaming across 37 countries in the EU including Greece, Malta and the Netherlands, giving customers the peace of mind to enjoy their holiday without incurring additional costs. spusu offers spusu Travel, a specific plan made for consumers to enjoy all 25GB of data abroad. Starting at £12.90, the plan drops to £9.90 after three months, making it one of the most competitive travel-specific mobile plans on the market.

Roaming charges can cast a cloud on the holiday buzz. By understanding how to limit mobile data use while abroad, and with Ofcom’s new rules hopefully laying out fairer and clearer understanding, customers will be able to truly relax on holiday knowing that a hefty phone bill won’t be waiting for them on the other side.