Lack of text information when travelling to different countries

[Anonymous]

I have recently been on a cruise to Portugal, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Spain. Only 3 texts were sent to let me know the area charge, which meant that I had to guess the charge. This led to me being charged high rates when I was in Lisbon harbour and assumed that I would be charged at Portuguese rates. I have been on many cruises before and have never had this problem as I have always known the cost of phone calls. Until this trip, my carrier had been Vodafone. Is this always a problem with O2? This has made me feel very insecure about using my phone abroad. When I have rung about this the staff have been as helpful as they can, but they do not create the system. 

[Anonymous]

I can only say that I am just back from Turkey and both my girlfriend and I got txts from O2 as soon as we landed telling us what the charges would be.

Do you have a need to use your phone so much whilst abroad? Why not utilise some of the apps that work over Wifi for messaging and calls?

[jonsie]

I've not had a problem with texts except on the rare occasion. I don't think texts are generated if you connect to a ship's network though.

[MI5]

Ships networks are a real nightmare and outside of the control of networks.

[Anonymous]

You can feedback your thoughts and concerns to O2 via http://www.o2.co.uk/how-to-complain/complain

[Anonymous]

Ships have their own networks? I had guessed they might have Wifi since buses and planes have them, but they have cellular transmitters as well?

[Cleoriff]

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@MI5 wrote:
Ships networks are a real nightmare and outside of the control of networks.

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True...and usually come with a phenomenal cost attached

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ships have their own networks? I had guessed they might have Wifi since buses and planes have them, but they have cellular transmitters as well?

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Yes, they probably have their own mobile "cell" set up and they are mostly terminated outside of the EU so you get a double whammy on charges.

[Anonymous]

Thanks MI5!

Well there you go, everyday really is a school day!