12 April 2007
British holidaymakers who use their mobile phone while abroad are pushing up their bills by £230 million, new research from price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com reveals.
The findings come ahead of the European Parliament's decision, due today, on whether or not to apply a cap on mobile phone roaming charges.
It has been proposed that these charges should be reduced by as much as 70%, a move which would be supported by uSwitch.com's Mobiles expert Chris Frost.
"Mobile companies have been able to get away with charging sky high prices for using mobiles abroad for too long now, so it is about time that action was taken," he commented.
"Mobiles are a necessity today so why should holidaymakers have to pay over the odds to use theirs abroad?"
uSwitch.com's research shows that this is precisely what is happening though. Some 18 million people will take their mobile abroad with them this year, with the average monthly bill rising as a consequence by £12.75.
Part of the problem is caused by the nine in ten holidaymakers who allow their handset to automatically select a local network, rather than searching manually for a potentially cheaper option.
This is compounded by findings which show a third of mobile phone users think it costs less than 50p per minute to make a call abroad, whereas the reality shows the cheapest call available is 71p if you don't have a bolt-on package.
What tariff should you choose? Pay As You Go or contract? Find the best tariff for your budget. uSwitch.com can search available deals and find the one best suited to you. Compare mobile deals and switch online for free.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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