No More Roaming Worries: Ofcom Safeguards UK Travelers
Since the UK left the European Union, British holidaymakers have faced a return of data roaming charges when traveling to Europe. To help combat unexpected bills and empower informed decisions, UK communications regulator Ofcom has announced new rules to safeguard travelers. Coming in from 1 October 2024, mobile providers will have to message their customers as soon as they start roaming on foreign soil. They will also have to clearly set out their roaming charges, and provide information on their roaming policies. roaming ofcom
Previously, EU regulations ensured “roam like at home” privileges, allowing phone use abroad without additional costs. However, with Brexit, these protections lapsed, and some mobile operators reintroduced roaming charges.
Ofcom’s research highlights the need for clearer communication: nearly a fifth of holidaymakers were unaware of potential charges, and a similar number didn’t research roaming costs before their trips.
The new regulations come into effect on October 1, 2024, and will require mobile providers to:
- Alert customers upon roaming: Upon connecting to a foreign network, travellers will receive a notification informing them of roaming charges and any fair usage limits.
- Provide clear information: Mobile networks must make roaming charges, data usage limits, and spending cap options readily available and free to access for customers.
Cristina Luna-Esteban, Ofcom’s director of telecom consumer policy, said the regulator wanted to make mobile bill payers “confident” that they won’t face any unwelcome “surprises” when they go on holiday.
“The last thing holidaymakers want when returning from a trip abroad is an unexpected mobile phone bill,” she said. “At the moment, some customers aren’t getting clear information from their provider to help them manage their mobile use and plan their spend. Our new protections will mean you’re told what it’ll cost when you start roaming.”
This will empower holidaymakers to make informed decisions about their mobile phone usage abroad.
Travelers can then choose to: ofcom roaming
- Restrict data usage and rely on Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Purchase roaming add-ons or packages from their provider.
- Consider alternative SIM cards for the destination country.
It’s important to note that these regulations apply to mobile data usage. Call and text charges may still vary depending on the network provider and destination country.
While some operators, like O2, have opted to maintain inclusive roaming offers within Europe, these new Ofcom rules will provide much-needed transparency and protection for all UK holidaymakers venturing abroad.
Roaming charges ‘not understood by fifth of UK holidaymakers’
It comes after research by Ofcom found a large number of UK travellers were not aware of the post-Brexit roaming charges most operators have introduced since 2021.
A poll of more than 2,000 people aged 16 and over, which was commissioned by the regulator in late 2022, found 19% of UK holidaymakers were unaware that they could face additional charges when using their device overseas. Another 18% of UK adults told Ofcom they do not research roaming charges before they travel.
The same survey also found 14% of adult mobile users were victims of inadvertent roaming, whereby they incurred charges despite not having left the UK. Ofcom said this was a particular issue for “thousands” of consumers in Northern Ireland, who often find their device switching to a Republic of Ireland network despite remaining on the UK side of the border.
To avoid this scenario, it suggested encouraging network operators to treat mobile usage in Ireland as being the same as UK usage.
