How To Reduce Roaming Charges

Mobile phones are now as much of a holiday essential as your passport, sun lotion and insect repellent, however many users are unaware that unless they’re careful they are more likely to be stung by a big mobile bill than they are by a mosquito.

It’s no wonder more and more people take their mobile on holiday, not only is it a great way to keep in touch with the folks back home, but most of today’s mobiles double-up as cameras and music players to save space in your suitcase.  Recent statements from the EU Commission have highlighted the high costs of using your mobile abroad. While the Commission is planning new laws to dramatically cut these costs and a number of UK operators have taken cost cutting measures the majority of us could still face budget busting bills this summer.

There are several ways users can cut their mobile bills, leading independent retailer The Carphone Warehouse has compiled the following tips to avoid the post holiday mobile blues –

• Make sure you set up international roaming - the service which allows you to use your UK mobile phone abroad to make and receive calls and messages. ‘International roaming’ needs to be activated on your account at least a week before you leave the UK. 

• You may find several networks to choose from when you arrive at your destination. Each is likely to have different charges for making calls, so check your handset user guide to make sure you know how to select a different network. Your mobile phone will usually select a network automatically when you use it abroad, but this may not be the cheapest.

• Using a pay as you go mobile phone abroad is not always the same as using standard pay monthly mobile phones, so always check with your network before you travel.

• Your travel insurance may not cover your mobile phone - if it does, check the small print, as you may not be covered for some types of damage. The Carphone Warehouse’s Lifeline insurance service offers tailor-made insurance packages to suit your needs. Cover starts from as little as 39 pence per week.

• Divert your calls to voicemail when on holiday – this way you still get your important messages, but will enable you to control your costs – as you are charged to receive incoming calls when abroad. This charge is added to your monthly bill or deducted from your pay as you go credit, so make sure you know how much you’ll be paying. Just remember that you’ll pay international call charges for voicemail too

• Sending texts and picture messages is often cheaper than making phone calls. Make sure you check the cost of sending texts or picture messages when abroad because these won’t be included as part of any monthly allowance.

• In order to phone home from abroad you need to add +44 to the start of each number.

• Ask your operator about any travel deals or roaming packages they offer.
 

6 June 2006