Vodafone data roaming charges return for some EU travellers

Date:
Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:36:15 +0000

Description:
Vodafone apparently u-turns on data roaming charges after initially saying customers would see no changes.

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Vodafone has confirmed it will be bringing back roaming charges for some UK customers using their phones abroad.

The operator has revealed new and upgrading customers on "selected plans"
will be charged at least 1 a day, up to a maximum of 2 per day from January 2022.

Vodafone had initially said it had no plans to reintroduce roaming costs
after EE became the first UK operator to do so back in June 2021. How will this affect you? Our full roaming charges change guide Where can you use your phone abroad , and how much will it cost? What is 5G ? Everything you need to know

All roaming fees were abolished across the EU in June 2017 following several years of price cuts, as per European law.

However, roaming was not included in the UKs withdrawal agreement from the
EU, meaning European and British operators are now under no obligation to offer tariff-free use when subscribers use their phone abroad. EU roaming charges

"Existing customers will not be impacted by these changes while they remain
on their current price plan, and roaming in the Republic of Ireland will
still be included for all customers," Vodafone said.

Vodafone said less that less than half of its customers roamed beyond Ireland in 2019, and following a barren year for charges due to the pandemic, this
may have influenced the company's change of heart.

From January 2022, customers included in the charges will be able to pay 2 a day to use their allowance in Europe, which falls to 1 if they purchase an eight or 15-day bundle. (Image credit: Vodafone)

EE became the first operator to confirm the return of roaming, with customers that sign a contract from July 7 2021 being subject a flat 2 per day fee if they want to use their phone in any EU country apart from Ireland from
January 1 2022.

The operator says it will also offer a 30-day Roam Abroad Pass for 10 a
month, with customers on a Smart or Full Works Plan able to access the pass
as part of their plan.

The UK's other two major operators, O2 and Three, have not yet reintroduced roaming charges, but have begun imposing new restrictions on travellers.

O2 says all customers will be subject to a 25GB data limit when roaming in
the EU and will be charged 3.50 for every additional GB consumed while travelling. The companys unlimited data customers have already been bound by this limit and only 1% of customers get close to this threshold.

Meanwhile, Three lowered its EU roaming data limit from 20GB to 12GB to bring it in line with non-European destinations included in its offer. Any excess data will be subject to 0.3p per MB, or 3 per GB.

Such fair use policies were actually permitted by EU law in order to prevent any abuse of the regulations that could harm operators. For example, a customer in one EU country might take out a mobile plan in another member state because it is cheaper. However, UK operators now have more freedom to impose lower caps. Here are the best O2 mobile phone deals



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/vodafone-data-roaming-charges-return-for-some-e u-travellers/


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