Mobile phone use in Europe

[Johnhc]

OK, I'm sure there are loads of information about this on the forum but I'm a real novice and really can't understand all the technical gobbledygook that's written in most of the posts so please can somebody give me advice in non-technical terms. My wife and I are soon to take off to Europe and will want to use our phones whilst there, a few phone calls, WhatsApp, and use of various apps, Search for Sites, LPG locator, maps mainly, we won't be watching films but would like to pick up emails. We're with EE who charge £2 a day each to use whilst we're away, 5/6 weeks so will be an expensive extra. I've read about buying SIMs but if we do this I take it we will lose our current phone numbers. If a free roaming charge SIM is the answer, any suggestions? Finally, is it really as simple as taking the current SIMs out and putting the new ones in? I would much appreciate any help and advice that you can give me. Thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes you can just change the sim but you won't be able to use accounts like What's app unless you change them to the new sim number.
For browsing and picking up email you could buy a cheap phone or perhaps you have an old one in a draw at home you could use for another sim.

Our phones are on Plusnet which uses the EE network but no roaming charges, 30 day contact starting at £6 a month. They have a fair use limit of 15GB when roaming but you can useally go over that.

 

[Wonders]

We're with EE who charge £2 a day each to use whilst we're away, 5/6 weeks so will be an expensive extra.

I think ee do some sort of add on £10 a month I think that gives you the usage you have at home. Worth checking the small print to see if this is so.

 

[Wonders]

Ee site says You won't pay the £2 daily charge if you get our £10 monthly Roam Abroad Pass, which lets you enjoy your plan allowances in 52 countries

Still need to check for other restrictions though
Chris

 

[DiggerJon]

Tesco PAYG sim card works on the O2 network which at present does not charge extra for EU usage (says he hopefully as he's off to France in 3 weeks!). I just top up when needed and I get the same amount added for "free credit" to be used within 30 days and then you start using what you bought.

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[mikebeaches]

Our phones are on Virgin Mobile - no roaming charges.

Might be worth checking their sim-only deals?

Believe 02 is the same ie no roaming charges.

 

[Andy MacD]

It be worth looking at French sims depending on how much data you expect to use. I’m going across in 3weeks for a couple of months. I’ve got an ASDA sim in my phone and mifi giving us 25gb per month but intend looking for a local sim when we get over.

Check out the Free network sims (they are not ”free” as in no cost). You can get them in free shops on a monthly contract and cancel online. You may also find other deals in supermarkets. See also https://www.echosdunet.net/free/forfait-mobile-sans-engagement

All the best.

 

[namwaldog]

We're with EE who charge £2 a day each to use whilst we're away, 5/6 weeks so will be an expensive extra.

I think ee do some sort of add on £10 a month I think that gives you the usage you have at home.

Ee site says You won't pay the £2 daily charge if you get our £10 monthly Roam Abroad Pass, which lets you enjoy your plan allowances in 52

Glad this was mentioned as I wasn't aware....

Reads to me that you simply send a text to enable it and likewise to end it.

It seems it is prorated so that you only pay for the days between the start and stop texts; so a 6 week (42 days) usage should cost about £14 for each phone.

This allows you up to 50gb fair use policy (assuming your contract is for 50gb+/month )

I've not read the terms and conditions in full but here is the EE webpage.....

How Do I Get the Roam Abroad Pass? | Roaming Help | EE

Find out what destinations are covered by the Roam Abroad Pass and find out how to get the pass as either a standalone add-on or as a Inclusive Extra.

ee.co.uk

 

[Landy Andy]

For EE you can pay £10 which will stop the £2 a day charge. The £10 is per contract month, so you could be unlucky go away for two weeks. One of each contract month so then 2x£10 may not be the best. Or tell EE you are a business then the roaming is included.

 

[lunarman]

Johnhc You say that you are with EE when did your plan start? If it was before 7th July 2021 then roaming charges do not apply according to EE Ts&Cs https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/roam...broad/what-impact-will-brexit-have-on-roaming

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[Stealaway]

Our phones are on Virgin Mobile - no roaming charges.

Might be worth checking their sim-only deals?

Believe 02 is the same ie no roaming charges.

As above.
When my 3 contact is up in May I'll be moving to O2 or virgin. I won't be paying the £2 a day roaming charges.
Buy a new SIM?

 

[DumfriesDik]

The devil is in the detail, try and get a clear idea of what you can do whilst roaming. I have seen restrictions on duration for roaming, the amount of data you use may be capped and so on. You really need to satisfy yourself, the phone companies are as clear as mud sometimes.

 

[jollyrodger]

Another one for Virgin when roaming, we will see when over there this year.
Took advantage of a £13 pm net deal 45gb plus unlimited unused data on that one rolls over till the following month.
So far this year place's where three have been weak (my other sim) 02 virgin very strong and no roaming charge.
Have a payg back up Tesco sim just in case.

 

[DumfriesDik]

A quick look at Virgin and there are clauses with Roaming.

Mobile Broadband: Usage amounts given as example only. Credit check and payment by Direct Debit required. 2 or 18 month contract. If you cancel during the contract you will incur an early disconnection fee. Data bundle is for use within the UK only. Access and speeds are subject to network coverage. Voice-Over-Internet Protocol is not supported. If your use exceeds your monthly allowance you will be charged at the out-of-bundle rate of £15/GB. Roaming charges apply to your use outside the UK. Pay Monthly terms of service apply. Mobile WiFi device required with upfront fee of £39.99. For full terms and conditions visit virginmobile.com/legalstuff.

Roam Like Home - Fair Use Policy​

1. Roaming in the EU at domestic rates (Roam Like Home) is only for private, personal and legitimate consumers periodically travelling within the EU. So you must not use our services in any way that is not in-keeping with the kind of use that is reasonably expected of a private individual periodically travelling within the EU. When we say EU we mean the 28 member states of the European Union

You can read more about Roam Like Home here.

It goes on:

1. To be in line with our Roam Like Home Fair Use Policy your use must meet the following conditions:

2.1.1. In any rolling 4 month period, you must use more data, SMS and calls in the UK than the EU – we call this “prevailing domestic consumption”; or

2.1.2. In any rolling 4 month period, you must spend more days in the UK than the EU – we call this “prevailing domestic presence” (we count each day you connect to our network in the UK as a day in the UK).

1. Other things that indicate your use is outside of our Policy include:

3.1.1. Long inactivity of a SIM card which is most often (if not exclusively) used while roaming; and

3.1.2. Subscription and sequential use of multiple SIM cards while roaming.

We will monitor activity over a four month period to determine whether there has been long inactivity of a SIM card which is most often used while roaming.

This would not be suitable for me, but if it is your main sim card, it might be good for you!

 

[VXman]

It seems to me the main issue the OP has is not wanting to change his number or contract for a trip abroad.

We buy a separate sim (UK or EU - we tend to buy one in the EU as there are no data limits and it tends to be cheaper)
We put this in an old phone and hotspot it to our regular phones. Then we can both use whatsapp, apps etc without changing anything on our phones. You can also use this spare phone for calls/texts out if it is an appropriate sim (includes allocation of calls - not just data)

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[Popty]

OK, I'm sure there are loads of information about this on the forum but I'm a real novice and really can't understand all the technical gobbledygook that's written in most of the posts so please can somebody give me advice in non-technical terms. My wife and I are soon to take off to Europe and will want to use our phones whilst there, a few phone calls, WhatsApp, and use of various apps, Search for Sites, LPG locator, maps mainly, we won't be watching films but would like to pick up emails. We're with EE who charge £2 a day each to use whilst we're away, 5/6 weeks so will be an expensive extra. I've read about buying SIMs but if we do this I take it we will lose our current phone numbers. If a free roaming charge SIM is the answer, any suggestions? Finally, is it really as simple as taking the current SIMs out and putting the new ones in? I would much appreciate any help and advice that you can give me. Thanks

Hi johnhc, l had the same issue, we're going to Spain for 4 weeks and sky want £2 a day for roaming charges, so l just bought a lebara sim card, 15gb for £10 on a 30 day rolling renew, and at the moment they have a 50% discount, si for 15gb usage no roaming fees it will cost me a fiver, my phone accepts 2 sim cards, so l will switch off my sky sim, and just switch on my lebara sim for the 30 days we're away.
The 15 gb will be sufficient for our needs, similar to yours, and won't loose my sky mobile number, just will have a lebara number for the period, then once lve returned home will cancel the recurring cost of £5, that to me is a result.
Try looking at lebara, www.lebara.co.uk and see if it's any good for you

 

[Johnhc]

My goodness, thanks all of you for the info, not sure now though whether I'm more confused or enlightened. It certainly looks as though the monthly £10 from EE might be the best option especially if we're able to switch on and off at the start and end dates, as was said above that would give us a bill of approximately £15 per phone. I will be looking in to the contract dates, mine started in May 2020 so that would be a bonus if it will means no roaming charges. Don't have an old phone but I'm sure I could get one easily enough then one of the SIMs mentioned would be a good option. Again many thanks to everyone, much food for thought. John

 

[mikebeaches]

As above.
When my 3 contact is up in May I'll be moving to O2 or virgin. I won't be paying the £2 a day roaming charges.
Buy a new SIM?

Yes, we've been on Virgin Mobile for years - think we initially got a special deal because we use them for broadband at home - in any case, we've generally been happy withe the service and value. And probably just lucky they've chosen not to implement roaming charges.

(Less happy with the value of Virgin broadband, but hey ho, that's another story...).

 

[ManTheVan]

Johnhc, I’m also with EE and can choose a free benefit to use each month that stays active until I switch it off. One of the benefits is the roam like home option. It might be worth checking whether your contract also has this. EE are v helpful if you give them a call.

 

[Johnhc]

MTV never heard of this but I'll certainly be looking at my contract, thanks for the info.

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[SomeoneElse]

I updated my EE contract in February 2021, over a year ago, the £2 a day roaming charge doesn’t apply to me. I’m roaming in France at the moment as everything is as if I’m at home.

 

[Manic]

I got a nice message from three when I exited the tunnel yesterday, 12 gb limit or if I won’t unlimited that’s £5 per day

 

[Johnhc]

Looks like a chat with EE will be taking place soon. Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[Bcollinson]

Ee site says You won't pay the £2 daily charge if you get our £10 monthly Roam Abroad Pass, which lets you enjoy your plan allowances in 52 countries

Still need to check for other restrictions though
Chris

I think giff gaff don't have roaming charges in Europe?

 

[DumfriesDik]

I think giff gaff don't have roaming charges in Europe?

Maybe not, but they do have restrictions or limitations.

If you have an Always On goodybag, once you have used over 20GB of data, your speed will be reduced to 384 kbps between 8am and midnight GMT and you will be charged 0.36p per MB for the remainder of your goodybag.

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[Wyvern]

Tesco PAYG sim card works on the O2 network which at present does not charge extra for EU usage (says he hopefully as he's off to France in 3 weeks!). I just top up when needed and I get the same amount added for "free credit" to be used within 30 days and then you start using what you bought.

This is correct. We have just gone with Tesco Mobile, kept our numbers, I have the unlimited data option and they confirmed no EU restrictions. I was so dis believing of this I asked them to confirm in writing….which they have (via live chat).

 

[huck999]

From what I have researched, no UK sim will work in EU 'as at home', no matter what the claim is. All have a 'fair use' policy that limits data to about 12gb.
We have found that to use secure apps like banking etc., you need the number registered to the phone app. We only use the data on the UK sim for secure apps. For everything else we either buy a local sim and use it in our MiFi or go where there is free wifi (McDonalds etc).
No easy answer, but you definitely need to save your UK data or your secure apps will fail when you need them.
Most likely you will get a bill for about £3 a gb when you go over the fair use.
Make sure you put a spending cap on.
Tesco are very good for short holidays, but stay too long abroad (more than 8 weeks in 16) and they concider you no longer a UK citizen and you get charged 35p a mb.

 

[Coolcats]

Un

From what I have researched, no UK sim will work in EU 'as at home', no matter what the claim is. All have a 'fair use' policy that limits data to about 12gb.
We have found that to use secure apps like banking etc., you need the number registered to the phone app. We only use the data on the UK sim for secure apps. For everything else we either buy a local sim and use it in our MiFi or go where there is free wifi (McDonalds etc).
No easy answer, but you definitely need to save your UK data or your secure apps will fail when you need them.
Most likely you will get a bill for about £3 a gb when you go over the fair use.
Make sure you put a spending cap on.
Tesco are very good for short holidays, but stay too long abroad (more than 8 weeks in 16) and they concider you no longer a UK citizen and you get charged 35p a mb.

Unless you get a Business SIM just don't expect to buy the 'cheapest' product and expect it to be the same as before Brexit, if you need voice and data this is the way to go last time we just cancelled after 30days I am assuming the same applies now but do check.

 

[hblewett]

Our phones are on Plusnet which uses the EE network but no roaming charges

We’re with BT who also use EE network use and no roaming charges. Plusnet probably the same but cheaper!

Our sims cost £19/month with unlimited calls and texts and 12GB on each phone but we do also have BT phone and broadband.

Service is excellent on all which is why I’ve stayed with them for several years. However, you do need to keep them on their toes with prices - when I call now (which I rarely do but did this week to check on roaming rules) I am put straight through to the ‘retentions’ department who are there to give the best deals to try to keep customers. For the last 3-4 years I’ve been on a contract which guarantees it will only increase with inflation, so there is a loyalty benefit if you stay with them but make it clear they won’t get away with increasing the prices without question.

 

[Wyvern]

From what I have researched, no UK sim will work in EU 'as at home', no matter what the claim is. All have a 'fair use' policy that limits data to about 12gb.
We have found that to use secure apps like banking etc., you need the number registered to the phone app. We only use the data on the UK sim for secure apps. For everything else we either buy a local sim and use it in our MiFi or go where there is free wifi (McDonalds etc).
No easy answer, but you definitely need to save your UK data or your secure apps will fail when you need them.
Most likely you will get a bill for about £3 a gb when you go over the fair use.
Make sure you put a spending cap on.
Tesco are very good for short holidays, but stay too long abroad (more than 8 weeks in 16) and they concider you no longer a UK citizen and you get charged 35p a mb.

That is exactly what I said to them. I was told that you can use your data in Europe in the same way as the U.K. I asked what the restrictions were in addition to the U.K. fair use policy and was told none. I am with you in that I still don’t believe it and will soon find out when we leave for a 3 month trip next week. I will report back but suspect you are right and will end up buying an EU data sim for the mifi.