Homes and Property

Using mobile phones abroad

By Lucy Tobin
If you’re reliant on your mobile or addicted to a BlackBerry or iPhone, heading abroad over summer may prove expensive. Recent EU rules have cut the cost of using a mobile in Europe, capping calls at 38p a minute, but that’s still a massive £22 an hour. You’ll also have to pay to receive calls, though receiving text is free.

If you’re a heavy phone user, ask your network about available bundles. T-Mobile, for example, offers “Euro 5 Talk and Text Booster” for £5 a month. It gives £7.50 worth of calls and texts.

Elsewhere in the world, Vodafone’s free passport deal means that calls cost a 75p connection charge plus your standard home rate, so if you have inclusive minutes it’s only 75p a call. Receiving a call costs 75p connection charge but is then free for the first hour. After that it’s 20p a minute.

Data roaming - using the internet from your phone while overseas - will rapidly send your bill soaring. It’s best to turn it off before you go away. If you do really need it, don’t download anything big.



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