In news that shouldn’t surprise anyone, low-cost Mobile Phone Roaming could be a casualty that happens if the United Kingdom cannot come to a deal with the European Union over its withdrawal from the EU.
… and about two or so years to undo the roaming agreements that are out there.
This will involve:
- Calls
- Texts
- Multimedia Messages
- Data
Huffpost has the full details, with Money Saving Expert gathering the notices of companies and their stances. In terms of the four major networks:
- EE (BT Group) “Doesn’t have any plans to change” cost of roaming, but adds: “We hope Brexit negotiations will help ensure that UK operators can continue to offer low prices.”
- O2 UK – “No plans” to charge – it’s “working closely with the Government and other European operators to try and protect the current arrangements.”
- Three UK – “Says ‘free’ roaming will remain “regardless of Brexit negotiations.” Customers will be able to use “their usual allowances when they travel within the EU.”
- Vodafone UK – “No plans” to introduce charges. It says: “We very much hope arrangements can be made which will ensure we can continue to offer UK consumers our roam-free service.”
Source: Money Saving Expert.
This follows on from previous advice issued by the Government as well as the non-statutory instrument that has been noted by HuffPost (and is here for those who want to read).
For both leisure and business travellers – it’ll be a nasty blow. Least of all its going to be another cost when travelling
Planning will be more important than ever
Unlike some who can’t plan or organise themselves out of a wet paper bag (naming no governmental names), as a consumer, there are things you can do to prepare for this storm… if it hits.
- Consider buying an EU based Pay-as-you-go SIM. As the roaming agreements between the EU27 should be in force, it’s a matter of picking up one in one country and topping it up as you go. Alternately, buy one for each country. Considering how much data is per megabyte (for example, my carrier – Three – charges £6.90 per megabyte outside of the EU (unless I’m in a country that is a “feel like home zone”.
- Dual SIM phones are still a thing. Consider investing in one if you’re spending any serious time away from the UK if a deal isn’t reached.
- Apple iPhone Xs, Xs MAX and Xr users might want to consider using the virtually provisioned eSIM if the rates are “good enough” (even world-wide availability is patchy)
Partial Apple eSim provider list – full list at https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT209096
- Consider a Skyroam – I was kindly given a SkyRoam Solis which I reviewed on a trip to Asia and North America (and which will be in my bag for one of my trips) to guarantee network connectivity
SkyRoam Solis in action
There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge in the Brexit negotiations, and hopefully, the major powers can come to a compromise by the 29th March.
But it pays to be prepared. Always has done, always will do.
Editors note: I’ve tried to keep this objective. But this is hard to write and remain objective. Trust me.
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