From now on, EE customers will have to pay a daily roaming fee for phone usage in France or other nations within the European Union. EE Roaming Charges

Previously, the EU membership allowed Britons to use their phones across member countries without incurring additional charges. However, telecom operators are slowly reintroducing these fees.

Reinventing Roaming: The Implications

This latest shift from EE will impact pay-as-you-go customers the most as they’ll now be subjected to roaming fees. These charges, applicable to calls, texts, and mobile data usage, will be levied in 47 European countries and overseas territories, excluding the Republic of Ireland.

This implies that three out of four major UK telecom operators have now reintroduced data roaming fees for their customers. Interestingly, a good number of smaller network providers are still allowing their customers to use their phones in Europe without any additional cost.

The Breakdown: Calls, Texts, and Data

Under the new changes, EE’s pay-as-you-go customers will be charged every time they use their phone for either making calls, sending texts, or browsing the web while in Europe:

• Calls: 70p per minute
• Texts: 30p each
• Using 500mb of web data: £3 (can be charged every 24 hours)

However, these charges can be managed through careful planning and the purchase of specific packages.

Roaming Packages: Pre-Plan and Pay Ahead

Available to those with a 30-day subscription in the UK, these packages allow you to prepay for calls, texts, and data usage. A notification text will be sent upon your arrival in Europe, informing you of the possibility to purchase a package.

Without a 30-day subscription in the UK, you’ll be advised to get one to benefit from these roaming packages. When a package is purchased, charges for calls, texts, and web data are deducted from your UK subscription, and not billed separately.

Two packages are available for purchase:

• A 24-hour plan for £2.50
• A seven-day plan for £10

Roaming Reality: The Landscape of Roaming Charges

While these changes primarily affect EE pay-as-you-go customers, contract customers have been subject to roaming charges for over a year. Here is a quick overview of the current data roaming charges for the four major network providers in the UK:

• EE
• O2
• Vodafone
• Three

Several smaller network providers in the UK do not charge European data roaming fees. However, they often have a fair-use data cap, which limits web data usage in Europe.

Roaming Smart: Ways to Limit Roaming Charges

There are several strategies you can employ to reduce roaming costs:

• Connect to WiFi whenever possible: Waiting to use internet-dependent apps until you’re connected to WiFi can save a significant amount. However, when using public WiFi, exercise caution especially when entering sensitive details such as credit card information.
• Utilise apps for calls and messages: Applications like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype offer an affordable alternative for placing calls or sending messages.
• Turn off data roaming: This prevents your phone from connecting to internet networks, thereby avoiding unexpected charges.
• Set a roaming charge cost cap: You can manage your spending by setting an overall limit for all charges (calls, texts, and web data) when abroad. On reaching the cap, these functions will be blocked until your return to the UK.
• Download essential items before departure: Before leaving the UK, download necessary items such as music, films, documents, or maps on your phone. This not only saves data but also ensures you have all you need, even in areas with poor internet connectivity.

The Future of Roaming Charges

The introduction of roaming charges by EE and other major network providers in the UK is indeed a significant shift. As these changes continue to unfold, customers are advised to stay informed about their network’s policies and find effective ways to manage their spending while travelling abroad. It’s equally important to explore the offerings of smaller network providers, some of which are yet to introduce European data roaming fees.

Exploring Further: Additional Information

For more insights and advice on roaming charges, including lists of network providers with and without European data roaming fees and tips on making international calls, be sure to read our other articles on these subjects. You can find detailed explanations and comparisons to help you make the best decisions for your individual phone usage needs while travelling in Europe.

Like this? "Sharing is caring!"