All you need to know about EU Data Roaming in 2022

With the summer holidays fast approaching, it is important to understand your business mobile contract and any data roaming allowances that may come with it. Free data roaming is a distant memory for most mobile users post Brexit, here is all you need to know before you set your out of office and get on that plane.

Data roaming occurs whenever your phone disconnects from your native network carrier and transfers onto another network. Roaming allows you to continue to make calls, send texts and use wireless data even when you are outside of your network’s radius. Although it’s great for business to stay connected no matter where in the world you are, sometimes this can come with extra unexpected charges on your monthly bill.

Previously roaming charges inside of Europe were waived by UK networks, as part of the EU, we benefited from charge free data usage whilst travelling on the continent. Since Brexit was finalised in early 2021, some of the networks have since decided to reinstate mobile roaming charges.

What are the new network roaming charges for 2022?

Virgin Media O2 have set themselves aside from other networks and made the decision not to reintroduce their roaming charges, and are the only network not to do so. Three, EE and Vodafone are all reintroducing roaming fees for customers travelling to the EU. 

O2

O2 includes the Europe Zone as part of their Tariffs. So your data (subject to a roaming limit), minutes and text allowances will work in Europe, just like they do at home. If your monthly data allowance is over 25GB, you will have a roaming limit of 25GB at no extra cost, once you reach this limit, you are charged £3.50/GB.

Vodafone

Vodafone charges for calls, texts and minutes at different rates per country and depending on when you started your contract. It is a good idea to use their roaming charge checker. They also offer a range of one off contract bolt-ons, that you can purchase if you know that you are going away - starting at 8 days European roaming for £8.

EE

Similarly to Vodafone, EE roaming charges apply dependant on when you took out your business phone contract. If your contract start date was before 7 July 2021 then roaming charges will continue to now apply until the end of your contract. If your contract start date was post 7 July 2021, then You can use your minutes, texts and data allowances in EE’s European roaming zone (see list of destinations) for £2 a day.

Three

If your current Three plan started before 1 October 2021, calls and texts to the UK and between Go Roam in Europe destinations are included in your allowance. You can use up to 12GB of data, which will simply come out of your allowance. After that a small surcharge applies.

If you joined Three or upgraded on or after 1 October 2021, you'll need to pay a daily charge of £2 to unlock your UK allowance in Europe. This daily charge will be waived until 23 May 2022. Check the Three roaming charge tracker to see what your holiday might cost you.

As the Networks adapt their offering to reflect price increases and changes in regulations post Brexit, make sure that you don’t get caught out by any unknown charges and check your phone contract before you travel. Here at Can Solutions, we have a wide range of Bolt-ons for roaming abroad, ready for you to sit back and enjoy your summer. Contact our team today to find out how we can help you.