Brussels ( The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – After years of enjoying free roaming across Europe, UK mobile customers are now facing charges again, a direct consequence of Brexit. Since January 2021, when the UK formally left the European Union, UK-based mobile operators have reintroduced charges for using mobile data, making calls, or sending texts while traveling in EU countries. This move marks the end of a benefit that millions of British travelers had enjoyed for several years, raising concerns about rising costs and changes in consumer habits when traveling across Europe.
Why Roaming Was Free
The concept of free roaming within the European Union was introduced under the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” initiative, which came into effect in June 2017. This regulation abolished the significant surcharges that mobile operators had traditionally imposed on their customers for using their phones abroad. It meant that people traveling within the EU, including UK citizens at the time, could use their data, make calls, and send texts as if they were in their home country, without incurring extra costs.
For UK consumers, this was a particularly popular move. It allowed holidaymakers, business travelers, and expatriates to stay connected without worrying about hefty bills when using mobile services across EU member states. Mobile operators in the UK complied with the regulation, and for several years, free roaming was a significant perk for UK citizens traveling in Europe.
The Impact of Brexit
Brexit brought an end to the UK’s participation in this arrangement. The UK’s departure from the EU meant that the country was no longer bound by the “Roam Like at Home” regulations. Once Brexit was finalized in January 2021, UK mobile operators were legally able to reintroduce roaming charges for customers traveling to EU countries, as the UK was no longer part of the single market.
Initially, many mobile operators in the UK, including major companies like EE, Vodafone, and Three, assured customers that they had no plans to reintroduce roaming charges. These promises provided temporary relief, but the landscape began to shift in late 2021. One by one, UK mobile operators started to roll out new roaming policies, reintroducing fees for customers who use their phones while traveling within Europe.
What Are the New Charges?
The roaming fees vary by operator and depend on the specific plan a customer has. As of now, most UK mobile operators charge customers a daily fee to use their domestic allowances (minutes, texts, and data) while in the EU. These fees typically range from ÂŁ2 to ÂŁ6 per day, depending on the provider.
For example:
• EE: Reintroduced roaming charges in early 2022. EE customers now pay £2 per day to use their phone in EU countries. However, customers can also purchase a “Roam Abroad Pass,” which costs £10 per month and includes unlimited use in the EU and selected other destinations. • Vodafone: Introduced new charges in early 2022, with customers on contracts taken out after August 2021 being charged £2 per day in the EU. Vodafone offers roaming bundles such as an 8-day pass for £8 or a 15-day pass for £15, which allows unlimited use for the duration of the pass. • Three: Introduced a daily roaming charge of £2 for the EU from May 2022. However, Three offers a service called “Go Roam,” which allows certain customers (on older plans) to continue using their phone abroad in select countries without extra charges. Newer plans do not include this benefit. • O2: O2 has taken a different approach. While O2 customers are not charged a daily fee like other operators, they face a fair usage limit of 25GB of data while roaming in Europe. Once this limit is exceeded, customers are charged £3.50 per GB used. Although this policy is less restrictive than that of some competitors, it could still result in high costs for data-heavy users. • Giffgaff: Giffgaff, a smaller operator, continues to offer free roaming in the EU for now but applies a fair use limit of 5GB. Beyond this limit, customers are charged at a rate of 10p per MB for additional data. However, this is expected to change in the near future, as Giffgaff has indicated it may follow the trend of reintroducing more widespread charges.
Why Are Operators Reintroducing Charges?
There are several reasons why UK mobile operators have reintroduced these charges post-Brexit. One of the key reasons is that they are no longer obligated to comply with EU regulations on roaming. Since the UK is now outside the EU, the financial agreements that previously governed how mobile operators in different countries charged each other for roaming services have been dismantled. Without these regulations in place, UK operators now face higher wholesale charges from European mobile networks when their customers use roaming services abroad.
To cover these increased costs, mobile providers are passing the charges on to consumers. This allows them to maintain their profit margins and offset the expense of providing roaming services across the continent.
Another factor is the competitive environment. Before Brexit, mobile operators absorbed roaming costs as part of a regulatory requirement. Post-Brexit, there is no legal obligation to do so, and the operators see an opportunity to generate additional revenue from frequent travelers who depend on mobile connectivity when abroad.
Consumer Impact
The reintroduction of roaming charges has drawn criticism from consumer groups and travelers alike, who see it as an unfair consequence of Brexit. For many, it is viewed as a step backward, making travel within Europe more expensive and less convenient. This is particularly concerning for businesses and individuals who travel frequently for work or personal reasons.
While the charges themselves may seem relatively small, they can add up quickly for longer trips or for those who travel to multiple EU countries in a short period. Additionally, the return of roaming fees could lead to changes in travel behavior, with some customers opting to use local SIM cards or Wi-Fi services more frequently to avoid high costs.
What’s Next?
Although many UK mobile operators have now reintroduced charges, some analysts believe that the competitive nature of the market may force operators to rethink their roaming policies in the future. If customer dissatisfaction leads to increased demand for cheaper or free roaming options, operators may look to reinstate benefits to attract and retain customers.
At the same time, ongoing trade negotiations between the UK and the EU may also play a role in shaping future roaming agreements. While a deal on roaming was not part of the initial Brexit agreement, there is potential for future discussions to revisit the issue and establish new terms that could reduce or eliminate roaming charges for UK travelers in Europe.
In the meantime, UK consumers are advised to carefully review their mobile plans before traveling and consider alternative options to minimize costs when using their phones abroad. With roaming charges now back in play, staying connected while traveling in Europe may once again come with a price tag.
This article gives a detailed overview of the situation, including the changes made by different UK operators and the implications for consumers traveling in Europe.
