Despite new EU guidelines which came into effect on 1st July 2009 limiting the maximum a mobile phone provider can charge for services in Europe to 37p per minute to make a phone call, 16p per minute to receive a phone call and 9p to send a standard text message, bills for using a phone abroad are still high and providers have some sneaky ways of charging you that many of their customers don’t know about.
You will have to pay to receive calls, for someone leaving you a voicemail message and also to pick up voicemail messages. So even if you don’t use your phone to make a call, you could end up with a high bill just for turning your phone on to check it’s working, using it to take a photo or to set the alarm clock.
Don’t risk coming home from a dream holiday to a mobile phone nightmare – follow these top tips to make using your mobile phone abroad more affordable:
Tell friends and family to try to text you rather than call while you’re away – you won’t be charged for receiving a text. Speak to your mobile phone provider about overseas charges – many of them have special roaming packages or passports which give you a better rate while you’re out of the country. Make sure your voicemail is switched off while you’re away – that way you won’t end up paying if someone leaves you a message. Avoid using data services and the internet on your phone if you’re out of the country – you can run up an enormous bill just checking your email, the football results or downloading something. If you’re taking your phone away in case of emergency only switch it on if you need it. Text rather than call where possible – it’s a far cheaper option. If you are a pay as you go customer, make sure you top up before you travel so you don’t get caught out without credit. Look into buying an international SIM if you know you’ll need to make calls while you are away – it could work out cheaper. If you’re travelling with a partner or family, think about taking one mobile between you to keep the cost down.