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ISP 3 offering lower data roaming rates to mobile broadband users

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Posted 29th June 2009 at 5:25pm by Kimberley Howson

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Mobile broadband users with dongles from ISP 3 UK will now be able to enjoy lower charges when surfing the internet abroad.

From July 1st, all mobile broadband suppliers in Europe will be legally bound to comply with EU regulations on international roaming charges,

As a result, 3 has announced what it claims will be the lowest priced standard per MB data roaming rates available to British travellers.

The new rate will be available to customers from tomorrow (June 30th), meaning that families heading abroad for the school holidays in July will be privy to internet browsing from their laptops at a rate of £1.25 per MB.

Open to all broadband dongle customers, the new price will be available 12 months a year in territories across the EU.

John Eccleston, Head of Communication at 3 UK said: "We don't expect our customers to drastically change the way they use their phone or dongle, just because they're abroad.

"If they want to update their Facebook status or send an email … they shouldn't be stung by over the top, complex pricing."

To reduce the possibility of holidaymakers and business travellers suffering from "bill shock", the EU will also introduce a €50 (£42.50) cap for mobile broadband users which can be raised with customers' consent.

More news on: 3, Mobile broadband

4 comments

  • Simon Lebon

    Simon Lebon, 16th July 2009.

    Basically this is one of the biggest piecest of nonsense I've heard in my entire life.

    Compared to the previous "bundled reate" charges where GBytes of download capacity cost £10 - 20 this represents a one thousandfold ..... yes that's 100,000% INCREASE in cost. Shame upon the idiot politicians who forced this through under the banner that they were going to make international mobile roaming charges cheaper .......... CHEAPER??? they must think we're all as stupid and mathematically illiterate as they are.

    For those of us who actually have to travel and do .. work ... when abroad this will be a huge cost increase. I'm astounded that there has been no media interest or outcry as this is one of those classic examples of politically motivated half-witted intervention going badly wrong!!

    There, said my piece and feeling better :-)

    Reply
  • Iain Tolmie

    Iain Tolmie, 25th July 2009.

    Oh well done the EU. Well up to standard. £1250 per gigabyte from 3 eh? Meanwhile it is impossible to work online overseas unless you can find a wifi outlet. What is the matter with these 3G providers?

    Reply
  • Richard Paige

    Richard Paige, 3rd August 2009.

    Simon,

    I think you should be careful who you call an idiot before spouting your "mouth" off. The bundled packages are for domestic usage alone, i.e. downloads (and uploads) within the UK only. Previously there was no limit on the amount that providers could charge for overseas usage on an UK dongle. As a result, some people were returning home to bills in the tens of thousands of pounds because they'd downloaded a couple of episodes of Eastenders from iPlayer whilst on the Costa Brava. The EU has introduced the regulations to protect these people.

    That said, the current charges introduced by the EU and providers are ridiculously expensive for what 1MB will get you, especially given that the majority of providers are Europe wide (Orange, T-mobile, Vodafone). Is it profiteering, or simply an attempt to recoup the cost of the licences paid to the Governments of the Countries that make up the EU?

    Reply
  • Victoria Sayce

    Victoria Sayce, 5th August 2009.

    The point is that the rate for Europe-wide roaming is now half what it was earlier in the year. The rates for ROW haven't been reduced at all though so this is slightly misleading.

    They've also got rid of the offer of allowing roaming in certain countries to be included in you contract allowance. If you want a resonably priced roaming bundle then you have to go with Vodaphone, but even they only last 24 hours with no roll-over.

    Reply

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