EE, Vodafone and Three are all bringing back controversial roaming charges this year which could see customers face a bill of over £100 for a two-week break on the beach. The new fees will mean that anyone travelling to Europe will have a pay a daily price to access their data, text and call allowance.
The charges have not been welcomed by consumers and one rival network is now trying to shake things up by promising it won’t be following EE, Vodafone and Three.
Virgin Media O2, who joined forces last year, has announced that customers using its service won’t be charged when heading to countries including Spain, Italy and France.
The network says that across both its O2 and Virgin Mobile platforms it will maintain its inclusive roaming so that customers can travel to destinations all over Europe and use their data, calls and texts just as they would in the UK.
Virgin Media O2 has also said that it has no plans to introduce roaming fees in the future and it is its intention to keep it that way.
Speaking about the news Gareth Turpin, Chief Commercial Officer, Mobile, at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re starting the year by giving our customers some certainty: we will not be reintroducing roaming fees in Europe for customers on O2 or Virgin Mobile.
“Unlike all other major mobile networks who are bringing back roaming fees from this month, we will not be following suit. It means, when the time comes for people to start planning a holiday, a family of four will be up to £100 better off with us than on another network charging daily rates.”
If you’re not using Virgin Media O2 then the new roaming fees for Vodafone, Three and EE are all coming into force later this year and here’s how much you’ll pay.
EE ROAMING
DATE: Roaming charges begin March 2022
PRICE: EE customers face a maximum £2 per day charge
WHO IS AFFECTED? New customers who joined after July 7 2021 or existing customers who upgraded after that date.
EE OFFERS: Customers can pay £10 a month for Roam Abroad add on
VODAFONE ROAMING
DATE: Roaming charges begin January 2022
PRICE: Vodafone customers face a maximum £2 per day charge
WHO IS AFFECTED? New customers who joined after August 11 2021 or existing customers who upgraded after that date.
VODAFONE OFFERS: Customers can buy 8-day or 15-day £1 passes before they travel
THREE ROAMING
DATE: Roaming charges begin May 2022
PRICE: Three customers face a maximum £2 per day charge
WHO IS AFFECTED? New customers who joined after October 1 2021 or existing customers who upgraded after that date.
