If you are on a UK coastal holiday, you may be in for an expensive surprise. Mobile users may find it easier than ever to accidentally trigger roaming charges without leaving the country.
With the post-Brexit return of roaming charges, more mobile networks are using lower frequencies, which are more likely to travel further and be received beyond national boundaries.
While accidentally roaming on Irish networks will not incur charges across all main networks, you may be charged if your phone connects to another non-UK network. And roaming charges are also back in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man – meaning fell walkers in the Lake District are also at risk of accidental roaming.
The problem isn’t new. Before free EU roaming was introduced, some users did find themselves roaming on foreign networks in the UK. But previously, smartphone data use was lower and fewer networks had rolled out low frequency networks.
What’s changed?
To accommodate 4G and 5G services, mobile networks around the world have been switching on services on frequencies previously used for terrestrial TV (700 and 800 MHz bands). These are lower than the frequencies previously used for mobile services. Mobile network operators are attracted to the ex-TV frequencies as they travel further – filling in rural not-spots without needing additional masts. The signals also travel well over water.
Previously, a phone wouldn’t connect to 4G without a 2G or 3G signal from the same network to fall back on. This limited instances where users would roam on to 4G. VoLTE, which allows users to make phone calls over 4G has changed this.
This means that especially in coastal areas, especially under high pressure weather conditions, it may now be easier for signals from non-UK networks to replace the signal from local networks. In contrast, some of the higher frequencies being used to roll out 5G in cities and transport hubs (3500 MHz+) are extremely unlikely to be received.
The same areas often experienced interference from continental TV services in the summer when the frequencies were previously used for analogue TV.
French signals in the UK
The map shows were users of the Cellmapper app have picked up signals from French mobile network Orange on Band 20 – which covers the 800 MHz frequencies previously used by analogue TV. It shows dots across various points of southern England from Devon to Kent. You’re mostly likely to accidentally roam in coastal areas, especially if ‘hidden’ from your nearest UK mobile mast on a beach under a steep cliff. But in some conditions, reception further inland may happen, even if just for a brief time.
Dutch signals in the UK
Mobile users along the coast between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft may accidentally roam on Dutch networks. The map shows areas where Vodafone NL is received. Cellmapper users along the Norfolk/Suffolk border have recorded reception, as shown by the dots on the map.
Isle of Man signals in the UK
Cellmapper shows users around Scafell Pike in Cumbria have been roaming on Manx Telecom, with signals reaching over from the Isle of Man. These are the trails on the right hand side of the map, which shows parts of the Lake District National Park.
EE has reintroduced roaming charges when connected to an Isle of Man network. Vodafone UK and Three exclude the Isle of Man from roaming charges. O2 hasn’t reintroduced any charges post-Brexit. Sky Mobile users will pay a roaming charge from 3rd May 2022.
The maps only show incidences of roaming by users of the Cellmapper Android app. In reality, many more instances in additional locations will occur.
How do I know if I’m roaming?
Your mobile network operator will send you a text when your phone has registered on a non-UK network. You might only briefly connect, so you might be already back on a UK network the next time you take your phone out of your pocket or bag.
If you’re still roaming, you’ll see a roaming icon next to the signal bars and the name of a different mobile network – e.g. Vodafone NL instead of Vodafone UK.
What’s the latest on roaming charges?
As of April 2022, O2, including Giffgaff and Tesco have not reintroduced charges.
Vodafone has reintroduced charges on new contracts issued from 11th August 2021. It is also reintroducing charges on pay-as-you-go from 8th June 2022. Allowances can be used in Ireland and the Isle of Man without extra charges. Selected premium contracts include roaming, while on others, roaming is available as an add-on. Otherwise, a daily charge of £2 applies.
EE has reintroduced charges on new contracts issued from 7th July 2021. UK allowances can be used in Ireland. But roaming on a network based on the Isle of Man or Channel Islands will trigger a roaming charge. Selected premium contracts include roaming, while on others, roaming is available as an add-on. Otherwise, a daily charge of £2 applies. As of April 2022, pay-as-you-go is still exempt from charges.
Three is in the process of reintroducing roaming charges for contracts issued from the beginning of October 2021. It will charge £2 a day to roam in Europe, including the Channel Islands from 23rd May 2022. Charges haven’t yet been introduced on pay-as-you-go. Three’s budget brand Smarty currently offers free EU roaming, but doesn’t include the Channel Islands.
Sky Mobile is reintroducing charges on 3rd May 2022.
How easy it is to be connected to a foreign network in the UK?
Radio waves, including mobile signals, are affected by location and atmospheric conditions.
However, it’s easier to receive a signal from a foreign network than it is to transmit a signal back. The foreign network operator may be using a tall mast to send the signals. But it’s your little phone that has to be able to transmit a strong enough signal back over the sea to complete the loop. As a result, data connections and speeds are likely to be poor.
Why roaming charges in the Channel Islands / Isle of Man? They’re British.
These are British dependencies, and not part of the UK. They had a special status while the UK was in the EU, and were covered by EU roaming regulations. Following Brexit, the UK government did not stop mobile network operators reintroducing charges, likely out of ideological not technical reasons. Roaming charges between the UK and Republic of Ireland are still off the table. On the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, accidental roaming was a major problem.
What should I do if I incur roaming charges while still in the UK?
You can complain to your mobile provider, but don’t expect much. As part of the return of roaming charges, mobile network operators are passing the buck to users. They’re most likely to respond with advice on how to avoid accidental roaming happening again – tips include changing phone settings to stop data roaming, or deactivating roaming in your account. (If you do this, remember to reactivate it before going abroad.)
Can Ofcom help?
Ofcom has next to no regulatory powers for this issue. Like the network operators, its action is largely confined to advising consumers how to avoid accidental or inadvertent roaming.
By Aidan Smith, RXTV
[Images: Google Maps/Cellmapper]