New EE, Sky, Three, Vodafone roaming fee rules start from October 1
A big change is being made to roaming fee rules within weeks - with holidaymakers and tourists from the UK heading out to the European Union warned. From October 1, new regulations imposed by the regulator Ofcom will help protect mobile phone users from being hit with unexpected charges while abroad.
The new rules will force providers to alert customers when they start roaming in the EU or rest of the world and to protect them from inadvertent roaming. Providers will need to tell customers when they begin roaming and of any spending caps.
Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, said: "The new rules do fall short by not suggesting that providers should give compensation to UK residents who have inadvertently fallen foul of roaming charges, and failing to outline what this would look like.
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“When the UK negotiates future trade deals, it must seize the opportunity to lower the cost of roaming for consumers travelling around the world. The UK and EU should also agree a deal on roaming charges that stops people facing extortionate bills from providers.”
EE customers face a £2.47 a day charge for contract customers, or if you have a plan with Inclusive Extras, you can purchase a Roam Abroad Pass for £25 a month. £2.50 a day, or £10 for seven days, if you are pay-as-you-go. 50GB "fair use" limit.
Vodafone charges £2.42 a day or customers can buy a European Roaming pass for £12 for eight days or £17 for 15 days. Three charges £2 a day for contract customers, and there is no charge for pay-as-you-go. Sky has a £2 a day charge.
Ofcom hopes to protect customers from unexpectedly large roaming bills. Ofcom has further explained that 14% of UK customers had experienced inadvertent roaming in the previous 12 months.