Should I Use My Mobile Abroad?

Q. I'm going abroad on holiday, how should I use my mobile?

A. This question affects everyone who goes abroad on holiday and needs to keep in touch for business or personal reasons; many have come back home to huge bills. So what can you do to minimise the large bills that may face you a few weeks after you get back from holiday? Here are a few tips.

1. Remember that most "All inclusive minutes/texts/data" packages refer to the UK only and not the EU and beyond.
2. Making and receiving mobile calls in EU countries affords mobile users some levels of cost protection. Outside of Europe costs can be very high.
3. If you are going abroad and want to use your mobile telephone make sure that you talk to your mobile consultant/service provider before you go.
4. If you do not need it, leave it.

Using your mobile abroad can be very expensive so here are a few tips on how to reduce that cost.

Remember "free minutes/texts" only apply to the UK. If you are travelling to the EU and you use your mobile you will be charged for receiving and making calls as well as sending texts. Costs are coming down but if you make a call from the EU back to your office or home it will still cost you at least 34p per minute. It will also cost you at least 13p per minute to receive a call whilst you are in the EU. Travelling outside of the EU becomes even more expensive were charges can range from £1.50 to £2.50 per minute. So far we have just looked at the voice calls that can be made, using your mobile for data calls i.e. downloading a TV programme can really add huge amounts to your bill. Data calls in the EU are usually capped at £43.00 a month unless you have indicated differently to your supplier but outside of the EU this is not the case. All charges quoted are subject to VAT.

Tips for using mobiles abroad

1. Always consult your mobile dealer before you go abroad for advice on any add-on packages that might be available plus advice on the costs involved.
2. Keep usage of your mobile to a minimum
3. Turn off the data roaming facility on your handset, if you leave it on set your handset to receive your emails manually not automatically
4. If you want data roaming check any packages the networks may have.
5. Look for wi-fi networks and and use the internet that way - its free.
6. Ask your service provider if any packages (bolt-ons) exist to lower the cost of making and receiving calls whilst abroad.
7. Send texts it will only cost you 10p to 50p depending on what country you are in. Receiving a text is free.
8. Turn off Voicemail and ask people to ring you back (its cheaper to receive calls than it is to make them)
9. Look at changing your SIM card to a local SIM to the country you are visiting.
10. If you do not need it leave it at home.

Be aware of the costs involved in using your mobile abroad and avoid nasty surprises when you return.