Overseas mobile charges abolished at 3

Tuesday, 16 January 2007 12:00

Mobile network 3 has said its customers will be able to use their handsets abroad without it costing them any more than it would at home.

The move is by far the most drastic by a mobile phone operator since the European Commission (EC) said "roaming charges" must fall six months ago.

Before the EC ruling that mobile networks need to charge consumers less for using their phones overseas, holidaymakers using their UK mobile phone in a different EU country were charged on average 42 pence a minute to receive calls, and up to £1.20 a minute to make calls.

Since then Vodafone, T-Mobile, and O2 have announced overseas call plans to reduce this cost, but 3 is the first network to scrap all international charges.

The network has said anyone using a 3 network overseas will face no more charges than they would in the UK.

Currently the UK, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden and Denmark all have 3 networks.

"Finally customers are set to reap the rewards of the drive to tackle roaming charges," said Anthony Ball of mobile comparison service OneCompare.

"3 Group are the first mobile operator to totally abolish roaming rates and this should hopefully stir up a mobile price war."

But while a great deal for people travelling to countries with a 3 network in place, customers heading elsewhere could still be hit by heavy costs.

"Consumers still need to be savvy and pay attention to the small print in their mobile phone contracts as these new offers may still be beaten and special discounts may only apply to certain parts of the EU, meaning that huge savings could be made by purchasing an overseas Sim card for their travels."

Overseas Sim cards are available online from sites such as www.sim4travel.com and www.0044.co.uk

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