Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Free mobile roaming in EU and beyond

Options
  • 15-06-2017 7:09pm
    #1
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,619 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Given the new rules on free roaming in the EU coming into effect this week, I thought I'd start a thread to highlight this and give some examples of what is available from various mobile companies in Ireland.

    First thing to understand, while you have the same number of call minutes and texts as included in your plan at home, the same isn't true for data.

    The mobile companies can offer you less data then you have at home. I highlight the differences between different plans below and I hope people start including this when considering their mobile carrier, which will hopefully force these companies to be more competitive in this area.

    For those travelling outside the EU, for example US, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil, etc. Then the Three UK SIM offers fantastic value for money. They give you 12GB of data, valid for 12 months in the above and 65 other countries.

    http://www.three.co.uk/feel-at-home

    You can buy this three UK SIM from the following, NOTE you will need an unlocked phone for this to work.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Pay-Trio-Data-Preloaded/dp/B01CMD4VKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497549203&sr=8-1&keywords=three+uk+12gb

    Now turning attention back to EU roaming. I'd like to highlight some heros and some dodgy companies.

    Vodafone are offering the exact same amount of data as you have at home, making it easy to figure out and use.

    Lyca mobile on the other hand according to their website say they won't be offering roaming on the data plans which I believe is against the EU rules!

    ID mobile likewise seem to be offering EU roaming on only one of their plans and not on their other plans, which I believe is also against EU rules on this matter.

    The following is a table of various plans from different carriers and how much data, etc. is included. This table of course doesn't include all plans, for instance it is mostly prepay and sim only plans, but it highlights what I'd consider some of the best plans from each company is and to give folks a feeling for what is available. Errors and omissions expected, so always double check with the company.

    Carrier|Plan|Cost|Ireland + EU Texts|Ireland + EU Calls|Ireland Data|EU Data|Notes
    Vodafone|Extra|€30|Unlimited|Unlimited|5GB|5GB|https://n.vodafone.ie/roaming.html
    Vodafone|X|€20|Unlmited|100 minutes|20GB|20GB|
    Meteor |Prepay|€20|Unlimited|Unlimited|15GB|6.3GB|https://www.meteor.ie/roaming/#/
    Three|AYCE|€20|Unlimited|-|Unlimited (FUP)|5GB|http://www.three.ie/roaming/ https://apps.three.ie/roaming/pages/eu-roaming
    Tesco Mobile|Simply Value|€15|Unlimited|Unlimited (10000 Minutes FUP)|10GB|3.17GB|http://www.tescomobile.ie/prepayroam Texts not included but you keep the €15 credit and can buy unlimited text add-on for €10
    Virgin Mobile|Unlimited|€25|Unlimited (10000 FUP)|Unlimited (10000 FUP)|Unlimited (FUP)|5.5GB|https://www.virginmedia.ie/roaming/
    ID Mobile|Prepay|€15|-|300 minutes|30GB|3.3GB|https://www.idmobile.ie/roaming-charges
    ID Mobile|SIM Only|€29|10000|10000|30GB|6.3GB|
    Postmobile|Prepaid|€30|300|300|10GB|10GB|https://postmobile.ie/rlh/
    48Months|The Guido|€10|Unlimited|300|1GB|1GB|
    Eir|Prepay|€30|350|350|1GB|1GB|https://www.eir.ie/roaming/#/
    Eir|Billpay|€45|Unlimited|Unlimited|15GB|6.3GB|Contract and for existing Eir customers only
    Lycamobile| - | - | - | - | - | - | Don't offer EU roaming!!!


    FAQ's

    Q: Can I use this for watching videos (youtube, netflix, facebook videos), video calling (Skype) or uploading pictures and viewing them (facebook, instragram, snapchat, google photos)?

    You can, but I don't recommend it. All of the above use large amounts of data (e.g. Netflix is about 1GB per hour) and you are likely run through the above free amounts quickly and you will then be charged high per MB charges beyond the cap and possible end up with a big bill!

    Best to leave these until you get home or use the hotel wifi. Instead I would use this just for light data services, like whatsapp (voice, not video or pictures), Google Maps, email, light browsing, etc.

    You can also use your phones in-built ability to monitor and limit data use.

    Q: If abroad (e.g. Spain), can I use this to call text/Ireland for free.

    A: Yes, when on holidays in Spain, etc. calls/texts back to Ireland or in fact any EU country, will come out of your normal domestic allowance. So for instance, if you have unlimited calls in Ireland. Then you can call a phone in France for free when in Spain.

    Q: Can I call/text another EU country (for instance Germany) when in Ireland so?

    A: No, you aren't roaming in this case and so it isn't covered under this legislation. Instead you will be charged for an international call/text per your mobile companies rates.

    Q: Could I buy a SIM from a cheaper country (e.g. Spain) and use it here.

    A: You could, but it isn't likely to last long, the mobile carriers are allowed to contact you and potentially cut off your service if they see you using the service for long periods of time outside of the home country. Also you would end up having a Spanish number, which would then be an expensive international call for family and friends in Ireland to call/text you on. So overall this isn't a good idea for any sort of long term use.

    Q: My plan includes free calls and texts to phones on the same network (e.g. Meteor to Meteor), can I use these for free while roaming?

    A: No, such, on-network calls and texts aren't included in this legislation, though some companies might opt to include it (e.g. Vodafone), most aren't including them, so check with your carrier.

    Interesting guide here to how the minimum allowed free data rates are calculated:
    https://www.bonkers.ie/blog/broadband-phone/roam-like-at-home-how-to-calculate-your-data-roaming-limit/

    More info here:
    http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/European_Union


«1345

Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Suckit
    Registered Users Posts: 11,215 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Thanks for that, great list and table.

    So Vodafone X would be best as the 2nd sim in a dual sim phone?
    I wonder if the reason Lycamobile do not offer roaming is because they do not own their network? They piggyback on different networks around Europe.
    This is a UK list that i have been looking at for the past few days on and off, to get a sim to bring travelling.
    Along with Three Feel at Home, EE look very good too.
    https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/best-network-for-international-roaming/


  • Options
    #3
    Absoluvely
    Registered Users Posts: 1,318 ✭✭✭Absoluvely


    With free EU roaming, why stick with an Irish network provider?

    There must be some European network that's cheaper to use within Ireland than the Irish networks.


  • Options
    #4
    dan185
    Registered Users Posts: 769 ✭✭✭dan185


    Absoluvely wrote: »
    With free EU roaming, why stick with an Irish network provider?

    There must be some European network that's cheaper to use within Ireland than the Irish networks.

    If you were using a Spanish SIM to call Irish numbers it would still be a premium rate. Spanish to Spanish would be roam like home.


  • Options
    #5
    Quackster
    Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 5,763 Mod ✭✭✭✭Quackster


    Two things to note.

    Roam like at home doesn't extend to on-net call and text rates (although Vodafone has done so).

    So if you have, say, free Meteor-to-Meteor calls/texts, you won't have that when roaming.

    Also, operators can choose not to allow roaming on individual plans. So if this is what Lyca is doing, that's perfectly legal.


  • Options
    #6
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,964 ✭✭✭dodzy


    Absoluvely wrote: »
    With free EU roaming, why stick with an Irish network provider?

    There must be some European network that's cheaper to use within Ireland than the Irish networks.

    But that would come with a 00bla bla xxxxxxxxxx number with potential implications for local landlines among others. No thanks ;). I'll leave well enough alone and use my VF 5gb while on hols. That'll do me just fine :)


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Quackster
    Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 5,763 Mod ✭✭✭✭Quackster


    dan185 wrote: »
    If you were using a Spanish SIM to call Irish numbers it would still be a premium rate. Spanish to Spanish would be roam like home.

    That's incorrect. When roaming in any EEA country, you can call any standard mobile or landline number back home, in the country you're in or any other EEA country at domestic rates.


  • Options
    #8
    Quackster
    Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 5,763 Mod ✭✭✭✭Quackster


    Absoluvely wrote: »
    With free EU roaming, why stick with an Irish network provider?

    There must be some European network that's cheaper to use within Ireland than the Irish networks.

    Operators have a right to cut you off if you're only using your SIM roaming and not at home over a period of time (as little as a month).


  • Options
    #9
    Suckit
    Registered Users Posts: 11,215 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Gosim, Onesim, Eurail, iRoam etc.. and all of the other sims that offer roaming, are a complete rip-off. How do they even exist.
    These links may also be handy for information.
    http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/European_Union2
    http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/best-sim-cards-for-using-smartphone-in-europe
    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-roaming-calls

    They are UK mainly, but still very helpful.


  • Options
    #10
    TheDriver
    Registered Users Posts: 12,431 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    Great post. Remember the meteor 20euro is 4.2Gb whereas the 30 euro plan which u can get for 20 with right procedure is 6.3Gb


  • Options
    #11
    brendan86
    Registered Users Posts: 491 ✭✭brendan86


    Sorry to hijack this post guys but I currently have the 30 day sim plan with 3, unlimited calls/texts EU.. Does that mean I can ring English numbers free from here in ireland? Or does it mean if I'm in England I can ring Irish numbers free?


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    Hugo_Whoriskey
    Registered Users Posts: 463 ✭✭Hugo_Whoriskey


    TheDriver wrote:
    the 30 euro plan which u can get for 20 with right procedure is 6.3Gb

    Do tell...


  • Options
    #13
    TheDriver
    Registered Users Posts: 12,431 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    You either switch from another provider or if a customer, text 20unlimited etc. Its all on a thread here somewhere


  • Options
    #14
    BoatMad
    Registered Users Posts: 13,702 ✭✭✭✭BoatMad


    Quackster wrote: »
    Operators have a right to cut you off if you're only using your SIM roaming and not at home over a period of time (as little as a month).

    The general rule is that as long as you spend more time at home than abroad, or you use your mobile phone more at home than abroad, you can roam at domestic prices when travelling wherever in the EU. This is considered a fair use of roaming services.

    If this is not the case, your mobile operator may contact you. Operators can detect possible abuses based on the balance of roaming and domestic activity over a fourmonth period: if you spend a majority of your time abroad and consume more abroad than at home over the four months, the operator can ask you to clarify the situation within 14 days.

    If you continue roaming more than you are at home, your operator may start applying a small charge to your roaming consumption. This will be capped at 3.2 cents per minute of voice call and 1 cent per SMS. For data, the maximum surcharge will be €7.7 per GB (as of 15 June 2017), falling to €6 per GB (as of 1 January 2018), €4.5 per GB (as of 1 January 2019), €3.5 per GB (as of 1 January 2020), €3 per GB (as of 1 January 2021) and finally €2.5 per GB (as of 1 January 2022).


  • Options
    #15
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users Posts: 11,907 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    Quackster wrote: »
    Also, operators can choose not to allow roaming on individual plans. So if this is what Lyca is doing, that's perfectly legal.

    What Lyca are doing is announcing on their website that the bundles you buy are for use in Ireland only. This is a reversal of their previous plan which did allow free roaming in Europe. Now what they are doing is charging you payg rates for every call, text and mb of data that you use roaming in EEA. Totally illegal imo.

    https://www.lycamobile.ie/en/roaming-within-the-european-union-is-changing


  • Options
    #16
    mikeecho
    Registered Users Posts: 5,089 ✭✭✭mikeecho


    Tesco mobile

    http://www.tescomobile.ie/eu-roaming-regulation


    How are Tesco Mobile’s fair usage policies for EU data roaming calculated?
    Tesco Mobile adheres to The EU Commissions guidelines on fair usage policies for EU data roaming.The EU Commission guidelines state that the following formula should be used to calculate fair usage policies for large data bundled offers:

    Monthly plan value (service component excluding VAT) / 7.7 * 2 = Fair usage amount


  • Options
    #17
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,964 ✭✭✭dodzy


    brendan86 wrote: »
    Sorry to hijack this post guys but I currently have the 30 day sim plan with 3, unlimited calls/texts EU.. Does that mean I can ring English numbers free from here in ireland? Or does it mean if I'm in England I can ring Irish numbers free?

    The latter.


  • Options
    #18
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Please excuse my ignorance but I just want to clarify this for myself.

    Here in Ireland, I'm on prepay and I purchase a Vodafone Red bundle every 4 weeks for €30. Giving me unlimited calls/texts to any Irish mobile and 5g of data.

    Can I just use my phone abroad without doing anything or do I need to purchase a new sim before travelling?


  • Options
    #19
    Wanderer78
    Registered Users Posts: 29,071 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    I suspect they'll just increase charges elsewhere but at least it 'll save people a few quid while roaming


  • Options
    #20
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,964 ✭✭✭dodzy


    TheTorment wrote: »
    Please excuse my ignorance but I just want to clarify this for myself.

    Here in Ireland, I'm on prepay and I purchase a Vodafone Red bundle every 4 weeks for ?30. Giving me unlimited calls/texts to any Irish mobile and 5g of data.

    Can I just use my phone abroad without doing anything or do I need to purchase a new sim before travelling?
    no new SIM needed. Use it abroad as you like. Once you arrive in your destination, the SIM will acquire a local network and you're good to go. Obviously keep an eye on your data usage if away for a long period. And stay away from streaming video content as this will chew up your 5gb allowance.


  • Options
    #21
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    dan185 wrote: »
    If you were using a Spanish SIM to call Irish numbers it would still be a premium rate. Spanish to Spanish would be roam like home.

    Still cheaper than any out of bundle Irish rates...


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #22
    The-Rafalution
    Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭The-Rafalution


    I'm travelling to Vietnam and Thailand soon. Currently on Vodafone payg but have a dual sim phone. Can anyone recommend the best provider and deal for data when travelling to such countries? Thanks


  • Options
    #23
    ellobee
    Registered Users Posts: 366 ✭✭ellobee


    bk wrote: »
    Given the new rules on free roaming in the EU coming into effect this week, I thought I'd start a thread to highlight this and give some examples of what is available from various mobile companies in Ireland.

    First thing to understand, while you have the same number of call minutes and texts as included in your plan at home, the same isn't true for data.

    The mobile companies can offer you less data then you have at home. I highlight the differences between different plans below and I hope people start including this when considering their mobile carrier, which will hopefully force these companies to be more competitive in this area.

    For those travelling outside the EU, for example US, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil, etc. Then the Three UK SIM offers fantastic value for money. They give you 12GB of data, valid for 12 months in the above and 65 other countries.

    http://www.three.co.uk/feel-at-home

    You can buy this three UK SIM from the following, NOTE you will need an unlocked phone for this to work.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Pay-Trio-Data-Preloaded/dp/B01CMD4VKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497549203&sr=8-1&keywords=three+uk+12gb

    Now turning attention back to EU roaming. I'd like to highlight some heros and some dodgy companies.

    Vodafone are offering the exact same amount of data as you have at home, making it easy to figure out and use.

    Lyca mobile on the other hand according to their website say they won't be offering roaming on the data plans which I believe is against the EU rules!

    ID mobile likewise seem to be offering EU roaming on only one of their plans and not on their other plans, which I believe is also against EU rules on this matter.
    There is an opt out clause for operators, if the cost of offering the "Roam like Home"option knocks 3% or more of a companys margin then they can introduce roaming fees.


  • Options
    #24
    yoshimitsu
    Registered Users Posts: 538 ✭✭✭yoshimitsu


    The-Rafalution wrote: »
    I'm travelling to Vietnam and Thailand soon. Currently on Vodafone payg but have a dual sim phone. Can anyone recommend the best provider and deal for data when travelling to such countries? Thanks

    Get a local SIM or you'll pay a fortune.
    We're talking about intra-EU roaming on this thread


  • Options
    #25
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    brendan86 wrote: »
    Sorry to hijack this post guys but I currently have the 30 day sim plan with 3, unlimited calls/texts EU.. Does that mean I can ring English numbers free from here in ireland? Or does it mean if I'm in England I can ring Irish numbers free?

    My understanding is the plan works like you are at home.

    Example, my Vodafone plan is unlimited calls and texts to irish numbers, and 100 international minutes and texts. So say I am on holiday in the UK, calls and texts back to an Irish landline or mobile comes out of my unlimited, calls and texts to UK numbers still come out of my international plan.


  • Options
    #26
    yoshimitsu
    Registered Users Posts: 538 ✭✭✭yoshimitsu


    Posting the actual EC directive here (which surprisingly is written in plain English rather than the typical "legalese" lexicon they use in Brussels): https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/policies/roaming
    "As long as a person periodically travels and spends more time in his home country than abroad over any 4-month period, they will fully benefit from Roam Like at Home" this is a bit more precise than what was discussed above.

    Also keep in mind that most proper operators (MNOs own and operate their network [e.g. Vodafone, Three, etc] vs MVNOs who rent capacity and resell it [e.g. Tesco, Virgin etc]) will offer a roaming service because the cost they incur when their customers travel abroad (e.g. Three Ireland will pay something to Telefonica Spain while you are using their network in Benidorm) is somewhat offset when foreigners come here and are roaming on their network (Telefonica will pay Three Ireland while Spaniards are here learning English, for example). The same is not true for MVNOs who only see the cost when their customers are abroad but dont get any benefits when foreigners visit their country.
    So it is perfectly legitimate for an MVNO to NOT offer any roaming at all. The EC is allowing a few smaller operators to charge a small premium but in no way are you forced to offer roaming. It's up to your customers to decide whether they value that enough to move to another carrier that offers it or if they're happy with the domestic-only service.


  • Options
    #27
    bromley52
    Registered Users Posts: 2,813 ✭✭✭bromley52


    Some people could probably do without data during a holiday. Put down the device, talk to people or pick up a book. Most restaurants have wifi if you need a quick fix.


  • Options
    #28
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,964 ✭✭✭dodzy


    bromley52 wrote: »
    Some people could probably do without data during a holiday. Put down the device, talk to people or pick up a book. Most restaurants have wifi if you need a quick fix.
    No, I want to use my data, whenever & wherever I wish, and not be restricted. You're on the wrong thread.


  • Options
    #29
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    bromley52 wrote: »
    Some people could probably do without data during a holiday. Put down the device, talk to people or pick up a book. Most restaurants have wifi if you need a quick fix.

    I want my data to:
    - check reviews of restaurants
    - get opening hours and contact numbers
    - verify if they have WiFi
    - make reservation online
    - get driving directions and parking information
    - check if my card is charged accordingly when paying for the parking and food

    So I would prefer to have data allowance :) I really can do without facebook or boards...


  • Options
    #30
    keano25
    Registered Users Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭keano25


    bromley52 wrote: »
    Some people could probably do without data during a holiday. Put down the device, talk to people or pick up a book. Most restaurants have wifi if you need a quick fix.

    I'd rather have the data at hand, have you ever tried to navigate your way around a city for the first time with a map and address?

    Compared against a phone with Google maps there is no comparison.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #31
    The-Rafalution
    Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭The-Rafalution


    bromley52 wrote: »
    Some people could probably do without data during a holiday. Put down the device, talk to people or pick up a book. Most restaurants have wifi if you need a quick fix.

    Depends on what kind of travelling you are doing. Personally, I find having data very handy for maps if you get lost, bus/train transport times on the fly or a quick look at TripAdvisor if you are not in a familiar area.


Advertisement