Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall

North Cornwall’s MP, Dan Rogerson, has warned constituents travelling abroad that they could get back to sky-high mobile bills if they access the internet while overseas.

The local Liberal Democrat has welcomed new EU rules which mean mobile networks must stop providing internet services once a customer has spent £40 in a month, unless the account holder expressly authorises further charges.

But he says ‘global roaming’ could still mean a shock for travellers outside the EU, and even the £40 EU limit would mean higher bills than many expected.

Commenting he said,

“So many people are used to accessing the internet from their phones, particularly where domestic broadband provision is poor.

“But travellers can get a nasty shock just from downloading their emails and catching up on the news while abroad.

“It’s right that new EU rules mean mobile providers can’t just bill people hundreds of pounds without any warning, but the rules don’t apply outside Europe and £40 is still much more than many people expect to pay in a month.

“Most phones have the facility to turn off ‘global roaming’ so you can be sure of avoiding the charges.”

Notes:

·     All mobile companies now have to apply a cut-off limit once a customer’s mobile internet bill reaches €50 – around £40 – per month, while in the EU.  This will happen automatically, unless they opt out. Alternately, customers can select their own limit.

·     Mobile companies must also send customers a text message or email when they reach 80% and then 100% of the agreed limit.  They must then stop providing and charging for the internet when the limit is met unless the consumer re-authorises their account.

·     When a customer enters a different EU country, operators must send a welcome SMS/text message with basic price information on roaming services, a free phone number for more detailed price information, and the 112 emergency number.  They must also send a reminder of data roaming prices when the customer first connects to that service in a different EU country.