Smart Roaming Strategies for Business: How to manage your business roaming costs
With summer just around the corner and school holidays incoming, it is important to understand your business mobile contract roaming charges, and how it may affect your employees if they are travelling abroad for work.
As remote and hybrid working takes the business world by storm, employees checking emails at the airport and regular international travel for work meetings and events has become the norm. However, as the world shrinks, the costs of staying connected can quickly add up, particularly when it comes to roaming charges.
Roaming charges can be a significant expense for businesses, often catching them off-guard and causing unnecessary financial strain, especially as many of the UK networks changed their EU roaming rules post Brexit. However, with the right strategies and solutions, you can minimise these costs and keep your team connected without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we'll share some practical tips and insights to help your business reduce roaming charges abroad.
Stay Informed: Understand Roaming Charges and Policies
The first step in managing roaming costs is to understand your mobile provider's roaming policies and charges. Different providers have varying rates and fees for international roaming, which can also vary by continent and area - it's crucial to be aware of these before you or your employee’s travel. Take the time to review your current mobile plan and familiarise yourself with the roaming rates for the destinations you frequent.
We have highlighted some of the main UK networks business roaming charges below:
O2: O2 have different roaming charges for inside and outside of the EU. In their Europe zone, you can use your allowance abroad in 48 countries with no extra cost. You can find the 48 countries here.
They also have a Rest of The World package which you can use like a Bolt On for 24 hours or 30 days. You can use this pass in 96 different countries, but it will need to be added onto your contract in advance. It costs £99 for 30 days. Find the 96 countries included here.
EE: EE work slightly differently, they have roaming included in a lot of plans, you can find out if roaming is included in your business contract by speaking to your account manager or texting ROAMING to 150. Find out more here.
Vodafone: Vodafone offer roaming to 100 countries as part of a business calling bolt-ons. Some countries are included in your usual bundle, however many EU countries do incur a small charge. To find out more you can use their country checker to find packages suitable for you.
Three: Standard business plans with Three include roaming in selected countries from £2 per day. They have many different business roaming plans that can be added onto other business mobile contracts which can be found here.
At CAN Solutions, we prioritise transparency and aim to provide our clients with clear and concise information about roaming charges. Our team of experts can guide you through the intricacies of roaming policies, ensuring you're well-informed and prepared to make cost-effective decisions. If you have any questions about the different network roaming policies, contact our team to find out more.
Leverage Available International Roaming Packages and Bundles
Now that you know more about the roaming packages that UK networks offer. Make sure that you select the best roaming package or bundle for your business requirements and employee travel. These packages or Bolt-ons often include discounted rates for data usage, calls, and text messages while roaming abroad. By opting for these packages, you can significantly reduce your roaming costs, especially if your employees travel frequently or for extended periods.
Utilise Wi-Fi Whenever Possible
One of the most effective ways to reduce roaming charges is to leverage Wi-Fi connectivity whenever available. Many hotels, airports, cafes, and public spaces now offer free or low-cost Wi-Fi access, which can be used for voice and video calls, email, and browsing the internet without incurring roaming fees.
Encourage your employees to connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks when available, and consider investing in portable Wi-Fi hotspots or international Wi-Fi subscriptions for extended trips. This simple strategy can significantly reduce your roaming data usage and associated charges.
Implement a Roaming Policy and Educate Employees
Developing a comprehensive roaming policy and educating your employees about roaming best practices can go a long way in minimising unnecessary expenses. A well-defined policy should outline guidelines for data usage, voice calls, and other communication methods while roaming, as well as provide clear instructions on how to avoid excessive charges based on your business mobile contracts and what is already included.
Explore Alternative Communication Solutions
In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to explore alternative communication solutions while traveling abroad. Options like Voice over IP (VoIP) services, messaging apps, and web-based conferencing tools can help minimise roaming charges while maintaining connectivity.
At CAN Solutions, we stay up-to-date with the latest communication technologies and can recommend suitable alternatives based on your specific requirements.
Monitor and Analyse Usage
Regularly monitoring and analysing your employees' roaming usage is crucial for identifying areas of potential cost savings. Many mobile providers offer online portals or apps that allow you to track data usage, call minutes, and roaming charges in real-time.
We go a step further by providing our clients with regular comprehensive usage reports and analytics via your own dedicated account manager. Our team can help you identify usage patterns, detect potential cost-saving opportunities, and make informed decisions to optimise your roaming expenses and choose the correct bolt-ons for you if required.
Partner with a Trusted Telecommunications Provider
Navigating the complexities of roaming charges and international mobile contracts can be daunting, especially for SMEs with limited resources. This is where partnering with a trusted telecommunications provider like us can make a significant difference.
Our team of experts specialises in providing tailored solutions for businesses, ensuring you have access to the latest roaming packages, tools, and strategies to minimise international costs. We take pride in our personalised approach, working closely with you to understand your unique requirements and providing customised recommendations to meet your needs.
By leveraging our extensive industry knowledge and partnerships with major mobile networks, we can negotiate favourable rates and customised plans that help you stay connected while minimising roaming expenses.
Whether you're looking to optimise your existing mobile contracts, explore alternative communication solutions, or implement a comprehensive roaming policy, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business reduce roaming charges and maximise productivity while traveling abroad.