O2 and backward approach to mobile data roaming

[NetworkNorm]

Nearly made an expensive mistake this afternoon.

Popped into an O2 store to upgrade to a new iPad ( I’m still on the iPad 4, on Theee, which has served me well over the last 5 years but is just too slow now and stuck on iOS 10)

Anyway just before we got to the end of the process I mentioned my upcoming holiday to which the advisor informed me that I wouldn’t be able to use my device abroad as O2s mobile broadband tariffs were exclusively for U.K. use unless you were a business customer.

Needless to say I declined to proceed with the purchase and left the store feeling dissapointed.

When I got home I did some research and was surprised to see the other 3 main networks in the U.K. ( EE, Vodafone and 3 ) all allow data roaming on their mobile broadband tariffs ( admittedly only in the EU on EE )

I don’t understand why O2 would be so out of step with everyone else? Seems a very backward approach to me.

Alas I won’t be using my iPad with O2 anytime soon because of this, which is a shame...

Any thoughts on why this would be the case?

[NetworkNorm]

Eg this page: https://www.o2.co.uk/help/pay-monthly/using-your-phone-abroad

States: not included: Mobile broadband tariffs, as they can only be used in

[MI5]

I know mate, with the greatest of respect to you, have you read any of the posts I've written?

[NetworkNorm]

Yes of course I’ve read them 🙂

Am embarrassing myself by sounding thick I know but I must be missing your point?

New iPad = Data only tariff so can’t use abroad, so if I want to use my phone at the same time how can I put a sim that includes mins and texts in the iPad?

[MI5]

I that scenario, you'll need a big data tariff on your phone to tether to the iPad. But, you can get a sim only 12 month £20 / 20gb call, text and data tariff to use in your ipad (I'm assuming you already have an ipad though?)

[NetworkNorm]

I do have an iPad, on 3, but it’s ancient hence I need a new one and O2 have best deal but alas no good for overseas

[MI5]

Ah, got it now
So your only option when abroad is to tether ipad to phone and use phone data, or wifi, of course.

[jonsie]

Sometimes the cheaper deal comes with it's limitations and workarounds. I, personally, would be going with another network for ease of mind and no stress.