DIALLED UP
EE is making HUGE change to roaming charges – and some holidaymakers could spend more
Check our map to see how much you'll be charged on your next trip
EE has made a huge change to roaming charges, and it means that some customers will pay more when venturing abroad.
The UK's largest mobile network has scrapped £25 a month pass that offered extra data for using phones on holiday.
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These "Roam Abroad" passes enabled customers without inclusive roaming contracts to use their calls, texts, and data in 47 European destinations, as well as in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.
Without one of these passes, customers now pay £2.47 per day to use their data in Europe.
This means that customers will now pay £75 for a 30-day trip - £50 more than the previous cost with the Roam Abroad pass.
For a 14-day trip, customers will incur charges of £34.58 to use their data in the EU, which is £9.58 more than when the Roam Abroad pass was available.
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The changes will primarily benefit those holidaying for fewer than 10 days, as they will end up paying less overall compared to purchasing one of the previously available Roam Abroad vouchers.
EE has promised to introduce a new seven-day roaming pass but has not said when this will be available yet.
The 7-Day EU Pass will cost customers £15, meaning it will cost £30 to use your data allowance abroad for 14 days.
While this option is cheaper than paying the daily £2.47 rate, it is still £5 more expensive than the old Roam Abroad pass.
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Which plans already include EU roaming?
The following EE plans will allow you to roam like home in the EU:
- Max Plan
- Full Works
- Essentials Plus (Including EE One)
- All Rounder (Including EE One)
If your contract started on or before July 7, 2021, your plan may also include EU roaming.
Ernest Doku, Uswitch mobiles expert, said: "Consumers rely on roaming data passes to ensure they don't get hit by unexpected roaming bills, which is why EE’s communications may be causing a bit of confusion.
"Their introduction of flexible roaming passes, starting from £2.47 per day within the EU, means consumers won't need to worry about the duration of their trip in advance.
"However, this may work out slightly more expensive for some, depending on where they are travelling and their specific data usage.
"But, it is worth remembering that those who already have EU roaming included in their plans will not be affected."
CHECK YOUR SPEED: Broadband
NEW CHARGES FOR OUTSIDE EUROPE
EE has also revamped its pricing structure for customers using their calls, texts, and data in more distant locations.
For instance, under the old system, customers had to pay £6.74 per day when visiting Canada or the USA and £8.45 per day in Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.
Despite these daily charges, data usage was capped at 500MB per day - that's unless they took out the old £25 a month Roam Abroad pass.
With the old pass no longer available, EE has completely overhauled its six "rest of the world" zones and is now categorising countries outside the EU into four distinct groups.
To use your data in Zone 1 locations, you'll need to pay £5 per day or opt for a £25 seven-day rolling pass.
This will result in higher costs for those visiting the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand, who previously could use their UK data allowance for a fixed cost of £25 over a 30-day period.
However, it will be slightly cheaper for those who need more than 500MB of data per day and won't be travelling for longer than seven days.
For Zone 2 locations, the charge is £7.50 per day, unless you choose a £37.50 seven-day rolling pass.
Travellers in Zone 3 countries will be charged £7.50 per day, with no option for a seven-day rolling pass.
Similarly, in selected Zone 4 locations, the charge is £15 per day to use your data, with no seven-day rolling pass available.
A spokesperson for EE said: "EU roaming is not impacted by our rest of world roaming update.
"We're improving the roaming products for rest of world countries as well as rest of the world zones to give our customers more options and better value."
Ernest Doku added: "Roaming allowances, caps, and fees can vary based on location and network provider.
"To avoid unexpected charges, customers should check with their provider and review their personal usage and data allowances before travelling."
It's important to note that if you're out of contract and considering switching providers, there are still several mobile networks that do not charge customers extra for using their data abroad.
Which mobile networks don't charge for EU roaming?
- GiffGaff
GiffGaff plans can be used in the EU and other destinations at no extra cost.
If you're a pay-as-you-go customer, the provider says it will charge you at your usual UK rate.
However, there is a cap of 5GB, and if you go over this you'll be charged 3.2p/minute, 1p/text, 10p/MB.
If you're travelling outside of the EU, then roaming rates apply.
Find out more by visiting giffgaff.com/roaming-charges.
- iD Mobile
Roaming comes as standard on all iD mobile phone and SIM only plans.
This means customers can use their UK monthly allowances of minutes, text and data in 50 destinations worldwide.
There is a fair use data cap of 30GB, after which you are likely to be charged.
You can find out more by visiting idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/eu-roaming.
- Lebara
Lebara says that you can use UK plan allowances while roaming in the EU or India for no extra cost.
There is a fair use cap of up to 30GB on the unlimited data plan.
To roam outside of Europe and India, you will need to buy an appropriate roaming add-on or use pay-as-you-go (PAYG) credit.
You can find out more by visiting lebara.co.uk/en/roaming/roaming-rate-finder.html.
- O2
O2 is the only major network provider that has not brought back roaming charges.
If you're travelling in what it calls its "Europe Zone", you can call text or use data like you would in the UK and for no extra cost.
There is a fair usage cap of 25GB.
If you're travelling outside of Europe, you can buy a bolt-on, which gives you free roaming in 27 other countries.
- Smarty
Smarty lets its customers roam in the EU for no extra costs. If your plan includes calls and texts, they’ll also work as usual.
There's a fair use limit on data of up to 12GB. After that you can choose to buy data add-ons.
You can find out more by visiting smarty.co.uk/roaming.
- Talkmobile
Talkmobile is another network with free EU roaming.
For customers who joined or upgraded before March 14, 2023, the fair use limit is 15GB per month.
Customers who joined after that date have a much lower allowance of 5GB per month.
If you are running out of your EU Inclusive Roaming allowance, you can purchase a Euro Holiday Booster.
You can find out more by visiting talkmobile.co.uk/roam-charges.
- Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile has extended its free roaming offer until 2026.
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That means that you can use your text, call, and data allowances at no extra cost in 48 destinations.
You can find out more by visiting tescomobile.com/roaming.
CUT YOUR TELECOM COSTS
SWITCHING contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills.
But if you can't switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you'd be best to hold off until it's up for renewal.
But don't just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you're currently paying.
Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you're a heavy internet user, it's worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don't have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.
It's a known fact that new customers always get the best deals.
Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider.
This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.
However, if you don't want to switch and are happy with the service you're getting under your current provider - haggle for a better deal.
You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you're given after your deal.
If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time.
Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning.
This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won't have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels.
It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers.
Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider.
If your provider won't haggle, you can always threaten to leave.
Companies don't want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you.
It's also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
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