Roaming fees axed . . . but it’s still a rip-off to call abroad

CALLING relatives who are on holiday abroad will be no cheaper despite a crackdown on mobile phone charges in europe.

In fact, catching up with someone who has taken a trip to Spain could cost as much as £1.50 per minute.

From Thursday, Britons travelling to EU nations will be able to use their phone as if they were at home – thanks to a ban on any surcharges for making calls, sending texts, surfing the web or downloading videos.

Advocates say this will end the ‘bill shock’ suffered by millions who are left with costly charges following summer breaks. however, the ‘roam like home’ struc- ture – brought in by EU legislation – has complexities that could still leave customers with higher bills, consumer group Which? says.

The regime caps the cost of calls only for citizens of one EU country who have travelled to another.

There is no provision for calls made from Britain to someone who has taken their UK phone abroad – meaning that networks could still charge higher rates.

Which? said: ‘calls and texts sent from UK mobiles to the EU will still incur charges.

‘For example, we found that calling Spain from the UK can cost between 9p (Giffgaff) and £1.50 (O2) per minute.’ The rules also apply only to EU nations, meaning those travelling to places in europe that are not in the EU, such as Switzerland and even the channel Islands, could still be hit with high bills.

Some firms voluntarily include these destinations in the new price- cap regime, but others do not. Which? said: ‘Mobile providers include different countries in their roaming territories and this can vary depending on whether consumers are a pay as you go or pay monthly customer.

‘For example, O2 pay as you go customers will continue to be hit with roaming charges in the channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Monaco and Switzerland whereas O2 pay monthly customers won’t.’

Vodafone is the only provider including Turkey, which is outside the EU, in its roaming bundle, meaning there are no surcharges. But calling the UK from Turkey on other networks can cost £1.65 a minute.

Which? also said that when customers exceed the agreed minutes, texts and data for their package, they will still be charged in the EU as they would in the UK.

All providers charge different rates, which can be very high.

The consumer watchdog is advising customers to check tariffs with their provider and shop around for the best deal at the end of their contract. Alex neill, of Which?, said: ‘Many will reap the benefits of these changes and will no longer be put off from making calls abroad.

‘however, it is important that you take a close look at what is or isn’t included in your current mobile deal. not knowing what’s included could lead to some surprising charges on your next bill.’

Once Britain leaves the EU in two years’ time, mobile firms would be within their rights to re-introduce higher charges for Britons in an EU country.

But ernest Doku, of comparison site uSwitch.com, warned that doing so would be a ‘bitter pill for consumers to swallow’. he said: ‘For those providers looking to step up and stand out, they would do well to look at how free EU roaming could be maintained.’

‘Bitter pill for consumers’