麻豆社

On 21st November 2025, Rip Off Britain reported on the confusion around data roaming charges. In HQ, Simrat Sharma from the comparison site U-Switch and travel expert Rob Staines gave advice on how to save you from getting caught out.

• Look at how much data you will be using abroad. It may be worth looking at an unlimited data plan that can be well priced for family plans as an add-on. Alternatively, you could switch to another mobile data plan just for the month you're travelling.
• Ring up your mobile phone provider and ask them to put a spending cap on your account.
• Before you go abroad, go into your phone settings and switch off data roaming.
• If you are really worried about extra charges, put your phone into flight safe mode / airplane mode because that will disable all connectivity. If you do this, you won't be able to make calls, texts, or use data, but can still use WiFi.
• Look into getting an e-sim, which are virtual sim-cards that allow many smartphones to access mobile networks in foreign countries without roaming charges. Most recent smartphones are compatible – and activating an e-sim has no impact on your existing SIM card. You can buy an eSIM online, you pop in your details and it is downloaded automatically on to your phone.