Did you know that Operators can opt out of roam-like-at-home and continue to apply regulated surcharges?

As it turns out, network operators can continue to apply regulated surcharges if they can “prove to their national watchdog that they will lose money if forced to apply the measure.” Spain’s LycaMobile, Finnish operators Elisa and DNA, O2 Slovakia and Voo in Belgium, as well as plethora of operators in  Lithuania and Estonia are also looking to follow suit.

1. “Although you can now roam within the EU using your “at home” monthly allowance, the penalty for exceeding that allowance is hefty! Some operators are charging as much as 55p for calls and 10p per MB. Below is a chart of what you’ll pay if you go over your monthly allowance for the operators in the UK.                           
2. For the sake of clarity, if your travels take you further afield then obviously none of these new regulations apply.
3. Calling abroad can still be a sting as calls from the UK to the EU can still be charged at the providers leisure.
4. We know there has been some turbulence with Turkey being in or out of the EU, therefor only Vodafone allows you to use your bundle there. As a top tourist destination, this may come as a blow to many British travellers.
5. Roam-like-at-home is only for those travelling periodically in the EU. Operators may question your place of residency & demand the appropriate paperwork as prove.
6. The weight may be off your shoulders for those 28 countries within the new EU regulation, however nothing changes for the rest of the world. It’s even possible that operators may hike up the surcharge for roaming in the rest of the world to bridge the gap (so to speak!) in their profits. For example, in Norway, prices increased by 66% when RLAH was introduced.
7. Read carefully each operator’s fair use policy for data usage within the EU, the T&C’s change from network to network. Also changes for PAYG and pay monthly.
8. Some operators have decided to remove roaming capabilities all together!