The shocking cost of phone use abroad

Wednesday, 12 July 2006 12:00

Using a UK mobile phone while overseas - whether making or receiving calls - can result in huge bills when you get back home.

But huge numbers of Britons are simply unaware that this is the case, new research shows.

Some 49 per cent of mobile users do not know how much it costs them to make/receive calls while abroad, while 43 per cent do not even realise that they have to pay for receiving calls while overseas, research from comparison site OneCompare.com reveals.

However, some 63 per cent of mobile users use their phone while overseas - costing them up to £1 a minute.

"When 'international roaming charges' are added to their bill it can come as quite a shock as rates can vary enormously," said Anthony Ball, director of independent mobile phone comparison site OneCompare.

"Most travellers don't know how or why these charges occurred as tariffs and packages for roaming customers remain complicated."

He explained that foreign calls are more expensive because callers are charged by two mobile phone networks - the network from the country where the call is made and also by person's home network back in the UK. Profit margins for both providers are then added on.

But there are ways to reduce this cost.

"Special roaming bundles (a set amount of calls and texts for a set price) or opt-in discounts are offered by O2, Vodafone and Orange but the customer must pro-actively seek them out. The only operator to provide its discount as standard to all it's customer is T-Mobile," Mr Ball said.

"Another option, is to take your handset with you and buy a SIM card whilst travelling therefore keeping the costs to a minimum.

"All you need to do is nip into a mobile phone store in the country that you are in and purchase a SIM card.

"If you aren't comfortable with visiting a mobile phone store and making a purchase while you are away, or you need to use your phone as soon as you land don't panic.

"There are several online retailers which sell foreign SIM cards for the majority of countries, so you can buy before you go."

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