Roaming charges

[Anonymous]

I'm sure people have moaned about roaming charges millions of times in the past. However, I have just got back from holiday to find an increased bill this month. I had roaming and mobile data turned off as I left the UK. The bill only states that 3Mb were used, but at £7.20 a Mb I feel that there is something not quite right. My bill has doubled because of this, but I don't know how it happened.

I realise this is not exactly breaking the bank and it is unlikely to appear on the BBC news website anytime soon, but wondered if anyone had any similar experiences?

Thanks
Anthony

[Anonymous]

It was also a direct flight to Cuba.

[MI5]

We like to try and solve mysteries though
You aren't all that far from Miami when in Havana so I guess it could have flicked over without noticing, but either way, they have no choice but to refund you as no data is available to use when there so they can't charge you for something you can't get

[Cleoriff]

Sorry my PC crashed!

I thought it was weird when I posted the charges as Data roaming isn't available in Cuba...

[jonsie]

Presumably it only states international roaming and doesn't show the providing network. It's a long time since I had any roaming charges so I've forgotten how it shows on the bill. 

[Martin-O2]

Hey @Anonymous did you have any joy tracking down what these charges were for? 

[Andrew_H]

Since 01 Nov, VAT is now applied on usage outside of the EU.  This explains the increased price.

O2 doesn't make any more money on this.

£6.00 (old data rate) + 20% VAT = £7.20.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-telecommunication-services-used-outside-the-eu/vat-te...

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@jonsie wrote:

It's possible it picked up the airlines data though you would have to sign in normally for that. Interesting that thee new data price is £7.20. Outbloodyrageous and confirms that O2 is now all about the money. 

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[adamtemp64]

@Andrew_H Ok thanks for that it is for the vat update so not o2 making the extra but the government etc 

[MI5]

So yet again the wealthy tax dodgers ruin it for everyone!

The change is being made now because there is evidence that the ‘use and enjoyment’ rule is being exploited by businesses to argue that tax isn’t due on certain supplies of mobile telecommunication services within the UK. Making this change counters a threat to about £1 billion of revenue.

[Cleoriff]

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@MI5 wrote:

So yet again the wealthy tax dodgers ruin it for everyone!

The change is being made now because there is evidence that the ‘use and enjoyment’ rule is being exploited by businesses to argue that tax isn’t due on certain supplies of mobile telecommunication services within the UK. Making this change counters a threat to about £1 billion of revenue.

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Thanks for the info @Anonymous. Must admit I'm stunned about this and had absolutely no idea...

[darrengf]

if Costs were not already high. With out adding vat there just unreal