Ofcom deliver tips to reduce mobile costs abroad

Tourists looking to travel outside of the UK this summer could benefit from a report recently published by Ofcom that features ten tips for how to reduce mobile bills whilst overseas.

Earlier this year, Ofcom warned the telecommunications industry that European regulatation would be considered if they didn't take steps to reduce the tariff of sending text messages and downloading data whilst overseas.

Since then, several mobile phone operators have reduced their charges, although Ofcom are still urging the same companies to continue on this course of reducing text and data charges.

Ofcom's advice to consumers whilst abroad include:

Enable your mobile phone: Check with your mobile provider that your phone has been enabled to use abroad. Operators are obliged to provide this information to customers.
Check your handset: Check with your mobile provider that your handset will work in the country you are travelling to.
Check the prices before you leave: Contact your mobile provider to check your tariff before you travel to help avoid unexpectedly high bills.
Ensure you are getting the best deal: Check international packages offered by operators before you travel to ensure you are getting the best deal.
The pan European tariff only applies to voice calls: Remember that the pan European tariff (Eurotariff) which has helped to reduce the cost of calls, only applies to voice calls, not to texting and data downloads. It is available from all operators, across most European countries but is not available in Switzerland, Turkey or Croatia.
Check your bundles: Don’t assume that the price of calls made abroad are included in your bundled package.
Don’t forget voicemail: Remember that calling your voicemail from abroad can cost the same as making a call to the UK – check with your provider if in doubt. Unlike at home, you may be charged every time someone leaves a message on your voicemail. If you want to avoid these charges, you can switch off your voicemail before you leave the UK.
Using mobile internet abroad: Be aware that when connecting to the internet via a mobile handset, dongle or data card (a portable modem which provides internet access via the 3G network) whilst abroad could cost significantly more than when using them at home.
The local SIM option: If you are out of the country for a long period time, it could be cheaper to buy a local SIM card that can be used in your handset or a local dongle.
Alert your operator immediately if your phone is lost or stolen: If your phone is lost or stolen when you are abroad remember that you could be liable for the cost of the calls made in that country. Make a note of the contact details of your operator before you travel to ensure that you can get in touch with them as soon as possible to report the loss.

Published: 1st July, 2008

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