EXCLUSIVE How to use your data on holiday... without the hefty price tag: The mobile phone providers that don't charge roaming fees
Sun, sea and shock phone bills could await travellers who fail to do their homework before heading off to warmer climes this summer, experts have warned.
Before Brexit, Britons could use their UK data plans in Europe at no extra cost, but since the transition more networks have been reintroducing charges.
Only 10 phone networks still let you roam for free but some have data caps meaning you could be paying some surprise fees.
Since last October, new Ofcom rules mean that mobile providers need to notify customers when they start roaming, whether they intended to or not.
Providers must also give clear, free to access information so customers can make informed decisions about whether – and how – to use their mobile phone abroad.
To help avoid any nasty surprises after flying home, MailOnline has compiled a full list of providers and what you could be charged if you use your phone outside the UK:
02
02 claims it is the only major network not to have brought back roaming charges within the EU.
For customers travelling in its 'Europe Zone', comprising more than 40 destinations, you can use data, minutes or text for no extra charge as long as you don't spill over the 25GB cap.
If you are a Volt or Plus Plan customer, you get inclusive roaming in 27 destinations outside Europe, or 75 destinations with an Ultimate Plan.
There is also a bolt on package for Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go customers.
BT
BT's 'Roam Like Home' offer lets customers roam for free in 47 countries and you can simply continue with your phone plan, allowing you to call, text and browse the internet wherever you are.
There isn't a cap for when you're abroad but if you go over your standard 50GB allowance for the month you could incur a fee.
While you have the pick of 47 destinations, BT does warn jet setters about roaming in Northern Cyprus as you could connect to a Turkish network.
And, since Turkey is not in the EU any data and minutes used will be charged.
iD Mobile
iD Mobile offers holidaymakers going abroad inclusive data roaming up to 30GB in 50 countries worldwide.
In any of the company's 50 free Roaming destinations, customers who joined or upgraded to iD on or after 21 June 2023 can use up to 30GB data from their plan each month at no extra cost.
Regardless of your destination, iD mobile has a £45 roaming data limit in place to protect you from excessive charges.
Asda mobile
Asda will let you roam for free in 46 European countries for no extra charge.
The only downside is there is a data roaming limit - 5GB, regardless of whether your usual limit is higher than this and if you go over the limit, Asda will charge 10p per MB.
But, to help stop that, the supermarket says it will alert customers when they reach the 80 per cent and 100 per cent limit.
Smarty
For Smarty customers you can roam in the EU for no extra costs and if your plan includes calls and texts, they'll also work as usual.
If you go over your data limit of 12GB you can buy an add on.
GiffGaff
Anyone on the GiffGaff network can use their phone in any EU destination for free.
If you're already a customer, you'll continue to be charged in line with EU rates but there is a cap of 5GB on data.
If you go over the limit, you could be charged 10p/MB.
In the rest of the world there are higher charges depending on the country.
Lebara
With Lebara you can use your UK allowances while roaming in the EU or India for no extra cost although there is a cap of 30GB.
For roaming outside of Europe and India, you will need to buy an appropriate roaming add-on or use pay-as-you-go credit.
Tesco Mobile
Under its Home From Home package, Tesco Mobile is offering free roaming until 2026 across 48 destinations in the EU and beyond.
EE
For EE customers who took out new contracts after July 7, 2021, there is a daily charge for using your phone in European destinations.
You can also buy a 'Roam Abroad' pass, for £25 a month if you're a frequent flyer which allows you to use your phone without any extra charges, but you'll need to go away for 11 days each month to save money.
The plan covers USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand plus 47 European destinations.
Sky Mobile
Sky phone customers can buy a Roaming Passport Plus pass for £2 a day which lets customers use calls, data and texts in 55 countries including the EU, USA and even Australia.
Three
For Three customers who want to travel to Europe, you'll need to buy a Go Roam Europe pass for either three days, a week or 14 days.
The Three website says roaming costs £2 for Go Roam in Europe and £5 for Go Roam Around the World.
But even with that pass, there's still a cap of 12GB per month.
Vodafone
The only countries where you can roam at no extra cost with Vodafone are the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Iceland and Norway.
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