EE Reintroduces Roaming Charges

It was announced yesterday that EE is to charge customers for using their phone in Europe again from next year. A report published by Sky News details what we know at this point in time.

EE had previously said it had no plans to reintroduce the charges after Brexit, however it will affect new customers and those upgrading from 7 July. They will face a £2 daily fee from January next year to be able to use their data, call minutes and text allowances in 47 European destinations. The change will not apply to customers travelling to the Republic of Ireland.

Existing customers can upgrade now to avoid the new charges

If you are an existing EE customer, you can avoid roaming charges for at least the duration of your next contract if you upgrade before the 7th July (subject to eligibility).

In most instances, the network will allow early upgrades for business customers, so do reach out to your current supplier if you are already an EE customer to see if you can upgrade.

New Customers

If you want to sign up to EE and avoid these charges then new customers also have until 7th July to connect.

British travellers have not had to pay roaming charges on their mobile phone bills since June 2017, when they were abolished after changes to European regulation.

Britain's departure from the European Union meant that from January UK customers no longer had the right to use their phone in Europe without roaming charges.

However, Britain's major mobile operators had said they had no plans to introduce them.

EE said its decision was designed to "support investment into our UK-based customer service and leading UK network". It said customers travelling abroad for longer will be able to use a 30-day Roam Abroad Pass. Ernest Doku, a mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, said: "It's hugely disappointing for consumers to see that situation change so quickly.

"If you're an existing EE customer, these charges won't affect you yet, but make sure you check the small print if you're due an upgrade in the coming months."

Sky News contacted other networks to ask if they had any similar plans.

O2 and Three said they had not made any changes to roaming. However, both are altering their policies on "fair usage" daily data limits while in the EU - though in each case said the limits were more than enough for the vast majority of holidaymakers' needs.

Vodafone also said it had no plans to bring back roaming charges.