Vodafone will revamp its data-roaming charges next month, in what is good news for light users but not so great for the rest of us. Also, Vodafone has yet to clear up the controversy surrounding the scrapping of its UK data fair-use policy and introduction of heinous new charges.
From 15 June, customers will be charged for each MB of data used while abroad. In Europe, the first 5MB will cost a pound each, so, if you only use 3MB, you'll pay £3. Each subsequent 5MB chunk will cost £5. That means you'll be charged £10 if you use 6MB. Outside Europe, multiply the prices by three: you'll be charged £3 per MB up to the first 5MB, then £15 per 5MB.
Currently, customers pay £5 for up to 25MB or £10 for up to 50MB of data in Europe. Outside of Europe, they pay £15 for up to 25MB, or £30 for up to 50MB.
We're glad that the new initial usage charges are incremental, so, if you sneak a quick look at your email, you'll only pay for what you use. To avoid a shock when the bill comes, contact Vodafone and set a data limit at which usage is automatically stopped.
But Web addicts and business users will be hit with hefty charges. iPhone-owning Vodafone customer Dean Bubley has worked out that his 25MB data-roaming bill just quintupled. That almost makes us glad we're stuck in Blighty. Oh -- if you're going to the World Cup, calls to the UK from South Africa will be cheaper in June and July, but you'll still be slapped with a 75p connection charge.
This news comes hard on the heels of a change in Vodafone's data charges while wandering the streets of the UK. Vodafone kicked off the controversy last week with the announcement that it would scrap the fair-use policy, charging anyone who uses over 500MB of data. 500MB is meant to be a guideline, and you're currently allowed to exceed the cap, with the only consequence being Vodafone asking you to, like, chill out.
That's set to change on 1 June. The first 500MB will still be free for pay-monthly customers, but Vodafone plans to charge £5 for every subsequent 500MB. If you don't have a monthly allowance, you'll get a scant 25MB free and then it'll cost 50p for every 10MB. Customers exceeding their cap will be encouraged to upgrade to pricier contracts. Vodafone is twisting itself into semantic knots to avoid the prospect of customers cancelling contracts because the charges breach the company's terms and conditions.
Data charges are a headache, a nightmare and a minefield, all wrapped up in a big spiky ball of backside-punishing pain. Fortunately, we're here to explain how much mobile data you really need. If you're a disgruntled -- or even gruntled -- Vodafone customer, let us know in the comments section whether you've been kept in the loop or the dark concerning the new charges.
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Anonymous 12 October, 2010 20:22
I await a response from vodafone regarding these astronimical charges following a visit to Turkey. I was warned about the higher cost of calls and texts whilst there but not the internet charges, which are huge.
Anonymous 17 October, 2010 22:46
i recently returned from honeymoon on monday 11th october. On the wednesday morning my phone was not sending or making calls. i thought at the start it was just the network playing up but it continued till the next day when i called to ask what was going on. to my horror the guy i was speaking told me i had racked up a bill for £503! i said it was impossible that it was that high because i used it a bit the 1st week and hardly in the next. but he informed me i was on the internet (data roaming) the whole time i was away. i had no knowledge that this was the case, i even called vodafone before i went to make sure i had my vodafone passport and the person at vodafone didnt mention anything about data roaming or internet charges. i paid up only £400 because that was all i had and i was imbarressed by you high it was. the way the guy on the phone was speaking i had to pay there and then. on reflection i have contacted my credit card company and i am going to put a dispute claim against this money i have paid still to pay some. and will call vodafone to see what they are saying.
anonymous 2 December, 2012 22:25
I live in Egypt and just came back from the USA. It is sad to say that all what vodafone is claiming about data roaming in the USA is incorrect. I stayed in the US for 15 days, during which data roaming did not work for a single moment. Moreover, vodafone customer service was useless and just asking me to reset the network settings over and over again. When I came back to Egypt, they confessed that they cannot help while abroad, because the remote network (AT&T or T-mobile) is out of their control.
I'd have accepted their apology if they've warned me from the beginning; BEFORE paying for a service that never worked. It cost me around 200$ to get a mobile MiFi and data plan.
Do not believe everything vodafone claims.