topic Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android) in Android

FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 12:20:25 GMT

FYI!

This is warning to those on the newest Android software.

I am currently running Android version 4.1.2 (latest firmware) on my Samsung Galaxy S2. With data roaming disabled im still managing to rack up data costs with O2.

I have since complained to O2 and been advised that if it happens again i will be charged and I persisted that they look into this fault as it will affect others (i can hand on heart say this is not user error - i have never enabled data roaming!) as a result i asked for a data roaming bar at network level - i dont want to pay their extortionate prices via network when i travel with a tablet and laptop and either use wifi or wired connection on those.

I travel a lot and have noticed since updating to the latest software whilst on my last trip email and facebook notifications came through some how. I hope they look into this. being in telecoms myself, a refund is only a temporary solution and they need a due diligence to follow this up - i advised this to the helpdesk and she agreed, so i hope they do try!

Alex

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 12:29:24 GMT

Hi.

We normally advise to turn off MOBILE DATA in your phones settings when abroad as this should stop any connection from a phone to a networks data services.

That's the first time I've heard if this happening.

@MI5 is the man in the know about updates and Android , so maybe he can shed some light in this.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

perksie — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:13:52 GMT

If you allow your phone to use data it's your responsibility.

Data roaming is for when you are abroad, but you can turn off all data services on your phone.

It cannot connect to the internet if it's off.

Tap the Menu icon
Tap Settings
Tap Wireless & Networks
Tap Mobile Networks
Tap the Use Packet Datacheck box to change the settings
- Checked - On
- Unchecked - Off
The roaming switch is on the same page.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

MI5 — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 12:41:04 GMT

The way I understand it, the OP is abroad with data roaming turned off. This should be enough to prevent the phone from downloading data when connected to a foreign network. If it is still downloading data then clearly there is an issue with either the phone or the software.
As this hasn't arisen on any other forums I frequent I can only assume the fault is at phone level.
@AceAlex, did you factory reset after upgrading your firmware ?
I suggest you get your phone checked by Samsung for any issues.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

perksie — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 12:44:52 GMT

If they are abroad right now, turning off data roaming is easily controlled from the phone, so there is as MI5 says a chance it could be faulty.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:04:03 GMT

I should have specified it is in relation to international data charges i.e. when abroad. I should have stated this rather than say i travel a lot. I travel overseas a lot.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:07:19 GMT

@MI5
i did not factory reset, just followed the on screen prompts

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:29:53 GMT

Looking at the Android issue tracker i think http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=32758 could be the issue.

A problem on some android versions if switching to and from wifi and airplane mode

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

perksie — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 14:17:30 GMT

Have you done the factory reset, as this is necessary after a firmware upgrade?

Anything can happen if you haven't.

If so try asking Samsung to test it for you.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

MI5 — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:20:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Looking at the Android issue tracker i think http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=32758 could be the issue.

A problem on some android versions if switching to and from wifi and airplane mode

That's not clear to me if the users just don't KNOW they are roaming or if they don't WANT to be roaming ??

As I mentioned, you should do a factory reset after a major upgrade. It's not an issue I've ever had or heard of before but anything is possible.

I still believe this to be a software conflict or a phone fault.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 18:26:49 GMT

Hi I have a Galaxy S3 with version 4.1.2 and just returned from a business trip to Milan. I always have data roaming turned off in the phone settings and leave mobile data on, I never had a problem with this before.

I now see a 1.99 charge for data even though the only emails/data received was in the BA lounge at thee airport on WIFI. In fact I hardly had any phone signal for most of the trip and had to restart my phone to get signal let alone data.

O2 customer services said they had sent me 15mb but couldn't tell me how much I actually used. They are now looking into it to see why I have been charged. I do not see why I should have to pay just because they sent me 15mb of data when I never asked for it and never used it.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

perksie — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:26:34 GMT

You didn't ask for it but your phone did, so the charge would be correct.

If they're feeling generous they might give you a credit for it as you didn't seem aware.

If data is turned on you are very likely to get the £1.99 charge.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:50:40 GMT

As it turns out a network investigations has shown that my phone did not use any data whilst abroad and O2 have removed the charge.

Just a shame O2 cannot trust their customers in the first place.

Also it should not matter if data is turned on, when data roaming is turned off as this will overide the data connection.

Re: FYI: Data charges with roaming turned off (Android)

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 18:12:34 GMT

Good to hear you reached a reasonable result.