cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

EU Roaming Changes from 15th June 2017 “CONTRACT ONLY" Modification 19th March 2018

darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

Roaming Changes from 15th June 2017 “CONTRACT ONLY

 

PAY AS YOU GO Info https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/Roaming-Changes-from-15th-June-2017-PAY-AS-YOU-...

 

From the 15th June 2017 all EU networks have to offer “free” roaming from one EU country to another (Only when roaming in another EU Country other than your own, for us this would be UK.)

However there a number of things that people need to be made aware of and what it all means to them.

Which Countries are included in the new rules from the 15th June 2017

Austria

French Guiana

Latvia

Reunion Islands

Azores

Germany

Liechtenstein

Romania

Belgium

Gibraltar

Lithuania

Saint Barthelemy

Bulgaria

Greece

Luxembourg

Saint Martin

Canary Islands*

Guadeloupe

Madeira

San Marino

Croatia

Guernsey

Malta

Slovakia

Cyprus*

Hungary

Martinique

Slovenia

Czech Republic

Iceland

Monaco

Spain*

Denmark

Ireland

Netherlands

Sweden

Estonia

Isle of Man

Norway

Switzerland

Finland

Italy*

Poland

Vatican City

France*

Jersey

Portugal*

 

 

*Canary Islands include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

*Spain Includes, Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza.

*France includes Corsica.

*Italy includes Sardinia.

*Portugal includes Madeira

 

*Cyprus ** Southern Cyprus only is part of the EU

**Northern Cyprus is Turkish and therefore normal rates will apply. Unless you have o2 Travel

Terms and conditions here on o2 Travel

https://www.o2.co.uk/termsandconditions/mobile/o2travel-paymonthly-terms-and-conditions

 

More info on O2 Travel here

https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/international/using-phone-abroad

 

There may be other little Islands that I could have missed, but if you are not sure, please ask.

 

The EU only brought the law in if you were roaming in another EU country then to call another EU country.  Ie Roaming in Southern Ireland back to Northern Ireland. This will come out of your allowance if you have one or any left.

 

You can call people in the EU as long as they are registered with a UK network.  Ie you are calling a friend in Spain but there network is Vodafone in the Uk, this is classed as a normal call to you as you are not ringing a foreign number

 

Ringing any foreign number like Southern Ireland from Northern Ireland ie +353 and then the number is classed as a international number.  If your in Souther Ireland and calling a Southern Ireland number, then it is covered as long as you have mins etc.

 

Note if you are calling a friend / family who live on Isle of Man and Channel Islands and have a SIM card from one of their networks there. Then you will be charged as this is classed as international roaming from the UK as they don’t have UK networks.

 

it can get a little confusing

 

Now this is one of the myths that people are miss understanding “Free” or “No Extra Charges

 

When you are roaming in one or the above places, you now take you own home UK free allowance. This is Mins, SMS and DATA.

 

So lets say For example, you only have 500 MINS, 1000 SMS and 500mb of data, then this is all you would be able to use before charges apply before your next billing date.
But what if I’ve already used some Mins from my 500 MIN allocation – Then you can only use what you have left before charges apply.

You always need to check the MY o2 app or O2 Website for uptodate allowences and any charges you may have incured.

 

I have Unlimited Mins and SMS – Then Fair Usage policy applies in one of the above Countries. “O2 Reserve the right for removing the service and making you pay for any charges if you abuse the service”

 

 

What is included with Mins and SMS

You can call/SMS the country you are visiting (Or one of the above countries) and back to the UK.

It’s the same with what you can use your MINS/SMS for now.

Premium Calls/SMS are chargeable as they would be in the UK, so would 0845, 0870 and other Chargeable numbers as per the UK list

 

If you are making calls to family and friends etc. and as long as you wouldn’t be charged when you would call them in the UK, then you will be fine for when you are roaming in above country

 

 

Data Services Abroad - Currently O2 has 4G roaming in 22 countries as of the 31st July. 

These are Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, Isle of Man and Australia.

We know in Germany it’s with O2-DE.

4G in Spain is probably be on Telefonica?

4G in Czech Republic is probably be on O2-CZ

4G in Isle of Man may be on Manx Telecom? As Telefonica used to own them.

4G in Australia.  Not sure on this one? Note this is not part of EU roaming. Only a for 4G availability. 

If any one knows could you please PM me and I will update the info.  Thanks

 

You can find the remaining countries that have 4G roaming here

 

All other networks you connect to overseas will either be 3G or 2G so Data may be slower than it is in the UK.

You can use all the services as you would do normally in the UK, but O2 won’t guarantee the speed or if the services will work.

Data speeds will also be slower in Peak Season

More info can be found on o2 key facts page regarding Speeds overseas

https://www.o2.co.uk/sites/default/files/2017-07/traffic_management.pdf

 

 

How much Data is included – At present, you are able to use all your free Data Allowance in any of the above Countries. So if you have a 20GB allowance in the UK, you can use either all or what is ever left, when you visit one of the above places. You are also able to buy Extra Data if you run out just as you would be able to in the UK and its the same price and bundle as you would buy in the UK too.

 

 

Picture Messages are chargeable as they would be in the UK, check your own contract for charges as there not all the same price.

 

O2 Travel InclusiveIf traveling outside of Europe you may want to consider the O2 Travel Inclusive bolton which gives you inclusive data roaming in 27 international destinations. 

 

Why all of a sudden for the changes.

The EU made it law that Mobile Networks in the EU were to abandon charges to each other for Mobile customers when overseas. It’s been about 10 years in the making with charges being slowly wiped out over the last 10 years.

 

However there are caveats and if your own Mobile network thinks you are abusing the service then they can remove it and charge you for everything when roaming.

 

The services is for when you are going on holiday or short breaks. If you are going to be in a country for longer than a month or 2 then this is not classed a holiday or short break, so you need to be careful or you could receive a bill. O2 will SMS you first if this is about to happen and I would suggest you speaking to O2 customer care on 202 (Free from abroad on you o2 mobile) to verify or check anything.

 

 

I can see countries that are not a part of the EU or are EEA.

Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland – Are part of the EEA, but are included in the No Extra cost roaming from O2.

Switzerland is not part of the EU / EEA, but O2 have included this (Not for PAYG)

Monaco, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey are again included (But not on PAYG)

 

More Info on Roaming from the 15th June can be found here

http://www.o2.co.uk/help/pay-monthly/roaming-in-europe

 

To Learn more about Roaming it self, visit here

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/International-Roaming-and-Whats-it-all-about/m-...

 

For any Roaming charges visit here https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/international 

 

** Please remeber that this is a customer forum run buy the Public so we would not be able to answer any billing questions etc, but alot of people on here including my self are very knowledgable on Roaming, so for any questions please ask. 

 

There are no stupid questions ask, if you have to ask it then we have either not covered it, or we may have not made it clear some where else.

 

 

*** Please note that the above information was correct as of 29th May 2017, it is your responsability to always check for the correct information and or charges that may apply ***

 

 

Versions 

5th Feb 2018 - Slight changes to wording, added 1 4G roaming country and added little info regarding Cyprus and Turkey. Links to o2 Travel + Terms and link to KFI

 

19th March 2018 - Added the info for 5x 4G roaming countries and a few tweeks in wording

 

We also do not know what will happen when we leave the EU. but while we are still in Europe the above will apply.

Current info in what all networks are saying regarding roaming in EU after Brexit or when we leave the DSM (Digital Single Market)

Website below

 

https://fullfact.org/europe/roaming-fees-brexit/

B92EC6B4-9832-403A-8287-AAB1DFC30060.jpeg

 

 

168 Comments
MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
Nice work.
jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Very well put together ☺️

darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

Thanks @jonsie @MI5

 

Lets hope it helps 🙂

Cleoriff
Level 94: Supreme
  • 122117 Posts
  • 823 Topics
  • 7456 Solutions
Registered:

Good work @darrengf. Great that the info is all in one place.

MercedesS
Former Staff
  • 1192 Posts
  • 17 Topics
  • 18 Solutions
Registered:

It helps @darrengf, thanks! Fantastic

Anonymous
Not applicable

What about Turkey? It seems a bit unfair that you still have to pay £4.99 a day to use your phone on holiday in Turkey when technically it is part of europe also.

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
95% of Turkey is in Asia, but I guess it depends on OFCOM and the European commission setting the boundaries which all networks will have to follow.
darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

Hi @Anonymous. It has nothing to if a country is in Europe.  Turkey is in Europe, but there not part of the EU.

 

EU is European Union, which Turkey is not a member, neither is Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.

 

o2 also don't have to offer the free roaming to Jersey, Gunsey, Monaco, Switzerland and Isle of Man. To which they don't offer free roaming on PAYG but they do on Contract.

 

Only the countries that are apart of EU and EEA are obliged to offer free roaming to each other, nothing more and nothing less.

 

Vodafone do include it in there Global Roaming, but this is only because Vodafone Turkey exsitis no roaming charges between each Vodafone next will probably be a lot less than what O2 can get or EE etc.

 

I hope that this clears the confusion up.

 

 

 

IMG_0268.PNG

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Thanks for the clarification @darrengf

Anonymous
Not applicable

Sorry if this sounds stupid,

 

I'm going on holiday to Crete on 13th (tuesday) and i know that you can't use your data plan until the 15th, so i just wanted some guidance on what to do..

 

So am i right on thinking that on the 13th I turn my mobile data and data roaming off and just use wifi, and then on the 15th do i turn my mobile data and data roaming both on to be able to use my monthly contract plan as normal?

 

I have an iphone and basically just want to know what i need to turn on and how?

 

many thanks

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:

@Anonymous wrote:

Sorry if this sounds stupid,

 

I'm going on holiday to Crete on 13th (tuesday) and i know that you can't use your data plan until the 15th, so i just wanted some guidance on what to do..

 

So am i right on thinking that on the 13th I turn my mobile data and data roaming off and just use wifi, and then on the 15th do i turn my mobile data and data roaming both on to be able to use my monthly contract plan as normal?

 

I have an iphone and basically just want to know what i need to turn on and how?

 

many thanks


Yes, that's exactly what you need to do.

Settings >Mobile data >Mobile roaming options >Off (until June 15th, then turn on after).

Remember, if you have O2 Travel, sending a text or making a call will cost you £1.99 a day for the first 2 days of your holiday, if no o2 travel, standard rates will apply.

 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Many thanks for your quick reply, its much appreciated,

 

So just to clarify turn both mobile data & data roaming off until the 15th then can turn both back on to use my contract as normal?

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Yes precisely that as advised by @MI5

Anonymous
Not applicable
No 4g so no Pokémon Go. I'll have to stick to a local SIM as usual.
Anonymous
Not applicable

Whilst it seems like good news I would like to know if O2 are scrapping the ridiculous 50MB a day roaming limit before they throttle the connection down to a virtually unusable speed. 50MB!! Serioulsy O2.

 

* O2 Travel customers who exceed 50Mb per day will experience limited throughput for web browsing, e-mail, social networking, video and VPN services, which may slow these services down.

 

 

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
No one knows and o2 haven't said anything about it.
Anonymous
Not applicable

So just to confirm.

 

As of the 15th of June 2017, any o2 customer with a contract will be able to use their phone as if they are at home?

 

Or are they expected to have a NEW contract to gain this?

 

I only ask this because I have had no notification that I will be able to do this, when someone I know has just taken out a new contract with o2 and they have been informed that this will be the case for them.

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
Everyone, new or old.
jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

You should be getting a text message soon or certainly when you arrive in a European country. I got texts for my contract and a secondary text for my payandgo. 

Screenshot_20170612-131555.png

Screenshot_20170612-131604.png

jrhop123
Level 1: Joiner
  • 37 Posts
  • 5 Topics
  • 0 Solutions
Registered:

So I did a chat with o2 support and they said this limit is definitely being removed, so no throttling after certain data amount, it works as if you were at home. Hopefully this is true! Link to terms below, a fair usage policy applies but I think it's the same as in U.K. Not sure if they now have 4G agreements abroad though.

 

http://www.o2.co.uk/business/products/international-business/roaming-in-europe

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
No 4g roaming agreements and live chat lie.
I'll wait until I am in France and find out for myself.
jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Yes unfortunately I wouldn't take the word off live chat. Definitely no 4G and it remains to be seen as to how the O2 interpret their fup and any subsequent throttling. Let's hope O2 treat their customers correctly and don't hide behind their T&Cs.... 

jrhop123
Level 1: Joiner
  • 37 Posts
  • 5 Topics
  • 0 Solutions
Registered:

Yeah I don't always believe them, but I think if you read through the EU regulations or ofcom about these changes, part of the regulation is to abolish not only the charges but also any kind of throttling, so I think they will be forced to do this, at least until we leave the EU and then who knows what will happen!

 

The lack of 4G when roaming is very poor, probably o2 trying to save money.

jrhop123
Level 1: Joiner
  • 37 Posts
  • 5 Topics
  • 0 Solutions
Registered:
MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
O2's interpretation of "fair use" here but says you can be slowed if they think you've used "too much"
http://www.o2.co.uk/termsandconditions/mobile/o2-consumer-fair-usage-policy
jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

I'm not sure just how O2 can determine if there is an impact on other customers when roaming unless they know at any given time how many of their customers are using the overseas network. 

I think it highly unlikely that a customer would breach any of the other terms of their policy but if they do then they deserve to be restricted. 

Not sure what they mean about using 60 days in any 4 month period. Most customers use data every day.....? 

Anonymous
Not applicable

I'm in France now, and got the new roaming text message this morning. Still no 4G, however.

 

I had really hope that this would change with O2's statement "So roaming in Europe feels just like home" - this statement it completely untrue

 

For me, it looks like a local SIM is the only answer, together with a decision to change to a different UK operator as soon as my contract comes up for renewal (after 12 years with O2).  For O2 to treat its customers merely as cash cows and provide a risible level of appalling customer service is unacceptable.  They should have their licence revoked

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Nothing changes then in data speeds. I would change network too.... 

jrhop123
Level 1: Joiner
  • 37 Posts
  • 5 Topics
  • 0 Solutions
Registered:
So what speeds are you getting on 3G?

I think all the carriers have terrible customer services to honest, I've been with most of them over the years. So I wouldn't expect any better with others.
jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Carriers may all have similar customer service but roaming service is completely different. Go with EE.... 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Will it be part of our allowance if we are abroad and phone a UK mobile phone which is in the same country

Alan

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Yes it will Alan ☺️

Anonymous
Not applicable

That's great to no

 

Thanks

 

Alan

Anonymous
Not applicable

@jrhop123 wrote:
So what speeds are you getting on 3G?


It took a while (at these speeds!!) to download Speedtest...

 

Average of 4 tests:

Ping:          95ms

Download: 0.36Mbps
Upload       0.20Mbps

jrhop123
Level 1: Joiner
  • 37 Posts
  • 5 Topics
  • 0 Solutions
Registered:

Same terrible speeds as before then!

 

"o2 roam like home (except throttled speeds)"!

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

Truly awful. So unless you live 300 metres underground in the UK, then you can't use your smartphone the same as home. 

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
No change to normal roaming speeds then 😞
darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

So I've been reading twitter and there are lots of people complaining that the data is either not working and getting no connection or the speeds are slow and un useable.

 

somit looks like o2 have done nothing what so ever regarding this and done nothing to allow users to roam as they do at home.

 

i thought o2 would make this change and come clean, but they haven't and I'm so sad for o2 now.

 

ive got other sims and o2 is the worst company for abroad, so I've now got to look and think hard as Vodafone matches nearly all the coverage with the network share agreement but I get speeds like I can in uk.  Also wifi calling can use at home,  only thing I'll miss is tugo but as most of Europe is covered with a few exceptions. And I go abroad a few times I'm now not sure what to do any more

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

We were told that the fup no longer applied. Did you get to test that? 

darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

Not yet. I will do when I go to Ireland next month.

 

im hoping by then it will be all ok, so will let everyone know for def. will update with pics

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:

@darrengf wrote:

Not yet. I will do when I go to Ireland next month.

 

im hoping by then it will be all ok, so will let everyone know for def. will update with pics


Good man ☺️

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
I wonder if it's worth opting out of O2 travel first in case the travel restrictions are still kicking in ?
darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

@MI5 One step ahead of ya. Was first thing I've done lol.

 

but I have a feeling it will make no difference at all.  But worth a try 👍

darrengf
Level 28: Ingenious
  • 2080 Posts
  • 60 Topics
  • 48 Solutions
Registered:

Ok. I've just found something interesting and that's recently been updated. It's now in the terms

 

8.3 The 4G package allows you to access our 4G services in the UK and, where available, in our Europe Zone (excluding the UK), provided that if you’re on a data-only (Mobile Broadband) tariff, data can only be used in the UK.

 

So 4G is available in EU with o2. Just when?

 

Terms and conditions were updated 15th June, but I didn't see them yesterday, so possibly just been updated

jonsie
Level 94: Supreme
  • 92812 Posts
  • 608 Topics
  • 6909 Solutions
Registered:
Interesting....
Anonymous
Not applicable
Just as we thought, still throttling to the extreme after a few poxy MB's weldone O2, completely useless!!
jrhop123
Level 1: Joiner
  • 37 Posts
  • 5 Topics
  • 0 Solutions
Registered:
Is there an o2 moderator on here who can actually get some official info on this? Seems pretty clear from those who have tested it that roaming data is still being heavily throttled.
MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
@Martin-O2 was looking into this for us.
Anonymous
Not applicable

Can anyone confirm if Tesco Mobile/GiffGaff (MVNO) are being data throttled abroad too?

MI5
Level 94: Supreme
  • 143182 Posts
  • 632 Topics
  • 27459 Solutions
Registered:
Tesco isn't but I won't be able to try giffgaff until the end of July.