Avoid rise in mobile phone charges this winter

As many Brits are expected to venture abroad this winter, a consumer group has warned against a sudden rise in mobile phone bills when they return home.

Moneysupermarket.com spokesperson Julie Owens said, “Whether you’re flying off to find adventure on the ski slopes or seeking winter sun down under, once you leave UK shores the cost of using your mobile can substantially increase. Before jetting off be sure to check with your operator how much calls, texts and internet use will cost when at your chosen destination, and most importantly if there is a cheaper international tariff available to you whilst you’re away. People should also be aware that even on international tariffs, operators will still usually charge for receiving calls as well as making them.”

Owens cited for example Vodafone Passport which is free for all customers that allows users to make calls at their normal rate, plus a 75p connection charge, in over 35 European countries as well as New Zealand and Australia.

He added that Orange and O2 also offer good traveller services offering flat rate costs for calls and texts for a small monthly fee. With roaming caps in place in Europe, mobile users are getting a better deal than ever before, but using the internet on your phone can still cost significantly more overseas..

“If you’re going away this winter and thinking about using the internet on your phone or using your mobile internet (dongle), think twice. Those who have internet access on their phone and pay a set price for using it in the UK should be aware using the internet abroad is not included. There have been cases where people have racked up thousands of pounds on their phone bill, just by using mobile internet abroad and assuming it’s included in their call package,” he continued.

He said that using a dongle abroad can be equally as expensive and can cost up to £7.50per MB. If you really can’t do without internet access on holiday then Vodafone are currently offering a deal of £9.99 for the first 50MB in Europe and £29.99 for the first 50MB in Australia or the USA.

Moneysupermarket.com offers these tips for using your phone abroad:

• Check with your network that you are on its roaming service, this can save a significant amount of money on your mobile bill
• If you do need to use the internet on holiday, check the price per MB before you go and avoid any heavy downloading or streaming
• Turn your phone off when you are not using it to avoid being charged to receive calls/ texts
• Remember that a quick call can be cheaper than a series of texts
• If you regularly visit the same place consider getting a local SIM card