topic Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad in Off-Topic

Using mobile data and wifi abroad

gemz4the1 — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:27:26 GMT

Everyone on here always says to avoid using mobile data abroad as it is very costly, but silly me I still do not learn.

I spent over £20 on mobile data in 7 days.

Hardly anywhere I went to had a free wifi signal.

My apartment had a wifi service whereby you pay 20 euros for 3 days, which I was willing to pay, but when I asked about it, I was told that the wifi was only available in the reception area and not anywhere else in the apartments. I think that is a bit silly. I wouldn't pay 20 euros for wifi that I can only use in one small area - I wanted it for when I was in my room or by the pool.

Compare that to my sisters apartment, which was about 5 minutes from mine - she paid 30 euros for 7 days of wifi and she could use it anywhere in the apartments as well as in the pool area and she could use it on her iPhone and her iPad.

I never realised how much data I use. At home I have a 1GB per month allowance and on the travel bolt on it is £1.99 for just 15MB. To some people, 15MB is more than enough, but for me, I only sent a few iMessages, checked my Facebook and Twitter and checked my emails and the data was gone. So I used the data for about 5 minutes and it was all used up.

Also, I only just noticed that when I add an emoji icon to a message, it changes the character count to almost half and therefore it split up text messages a few times before sending them, so that reduced my credit a lot.

Lesson learnt: next time I will keep my mobile off for my whole holiday and just send basic texts.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

jonsie — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:33:39 GMT

Keeping data off is the best option if there is no WiFi. We have heard of horrific bills on here due to data charges so your bill is quite reasonable.

A local sim card in an unlocked phone is always my choice when overseas.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

gemz4the1 — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:40:40 GMT

I agree my bill is very reasonable - but if I had my own way and not contained myself that there would be at least one zero more at the end of that lol.

I think it is a bit unreasonable to have just 15MB of data for £1.99. Especially because a UK data bolt on is only £1 and that is for 50MB.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

jonsie — Tue, 27 May 2014 15:19:53 GMT

I agree but until they finalise the roaming agreements and the revised data charges you have to be very prudent with usage.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

Cleoriff — Tue, 27 May 2014 17:09:47 GMT

@gemz4the1 I go abroad frequently and have learnt to my cost, the many problems of using my phone

without WiFi. The message from here has always been turn Mobile data and data roaming off in the UK and

don't turn it back on till you get home

My own apartment is not provisioned with Wifi, so I have a netbook I use with a dongle topped up using a

spanish sim.

Luckily the bars and restaurants I use have Wifi so I have no problems when I am there.

I think it is a lesson you need to learn for yourself before you appreciate the true cost.

The EU really needs to get involved more quickly to instruct network providers to stop this money making

practice

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

Anonymous — Tue, 27 May 2014 20:06:53 GMT

It's a shame we are all so attached to our gadgets that we cannot simply leave them at home ,and enjoy a relaxing holiday. 😞

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

Anonymous — Tue, 27 May 2014 20:44:24 GMT

I don't know what you mean BoB.

When I went to Canada for 3 weeks I took two mobile phones, a tablet and several spare memory cards.

I didn't need tech lol

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

gemz4the1 — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:50:36 GMT

It's not like I was attached to my phone - that is my sister - she takes it everywhere with her even on holiday.

I left it in the apartment when I went to the pool. I only had it on me when I was out incase I wanted to get in touch with my family. I had it on my a lot but I only used it for maybe an hour or 2 per day and most of that was just checking emails or games.

I took my iPad just to watch films by the pool and on the plane.

Overall it was a lovely holiday, I just wish it wasn't so expensive to use your phone.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

Anonymous — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:58:40 GMT

Lol I wasn't having a dig Gemz

I once left my phone at home when I went to work and felt like my right arm was missing !

Maybe one day in the near future these higher usage fees abroad will be made a little fairer to the end user.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

jonsie — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:02:48 GMT

You go anywhere now and just about everyone has their mobile like an extension of their hand whether here or overseas.

..... and I'm as bad as anyone!

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

gemz4the1 — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:20:33 GMT

I know BoB I was just saying lol.

A few years ago when I was at uni, about 5 minutes from Liverpool town centre. I had travelled from my house to Liverpool town centre, which was about a 20-30 minute journey. As I got off the bus I realised that I had forgot my phone so instead of continuing my journey to uni, I got on another bus to go home to get my phone 😞

I can't really complain about the charges because they have reduced a bit in the last 5-10 years.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

Anonymous — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:32:07 GMT

As I quite often like to say ,on my days off work I frequent my favourite City Centre Coffee Shop where inevitability I start to people watch.

Shows to me the amount of people , myself included, using a multitude of gadgets as they go about their daily life's.

Sorry went a bit Off Topic there.

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

Cleoriff — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:52:28 GMT

And I went from being a person who took a mobile abroad 'just in case'....then got a smartphone and after a while realised the possibilities....

The netbook then followed me abroad...and now ....hey I have a HP Tablet... (I can't wait!!)

Is it any wonder that I now go to Spain and come back without a tan?

It just shows, one is never too old to learn

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

gemz4the1 — Wed, 28 May 2014 11:36:11 GMT

It's strange how much has changed from 10 years ago to nowadays.

I always complain to people who are on Facebook whilst on their holidays and I did the same lol

Re: Using mobile data and wifi abroad

jonsie — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:14:50 GMT

The problem is that the networks know this and why mobile charges are so high. There is a certain amount of competition in the UK but it seems if you are overseas, you are fair game for these charges.

Thankfully, times are about to change.