Using mobile data and wifi abroad

[gemz4the1]

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.

[jonsie]

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.

[gemz4the1]

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.

[jonsie]

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

[Cleoriff]

@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

[Anonymous]

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. 😞

[Anonymous]

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

[gemz4the1]

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. 

[Anonymous]

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.

[jonsie]

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!