Outrageous Phone Roaming Fees and How to Escape Them

Understanding the Risks of Roaming Charges While Traveling

Travelers heading to Corfu have recently faced unexpected financial surprises in the form of roaming charges that reached as high as £300. This issue arose because their phones connected to Albanian mobile phone masts, which are just a mile away from the Greek island. The problem is not unique to Corfu and Albania, but it highlights a broader concern for travelers who may inadvertently connect to networks with exorbitant charges.

For British travelers, most have agreements in place that offer low roaming charges within the European Union and the wider Schengen area. These deals usually keep costs to a few pounds per day. However, when traveling near borders with non-EU nations or on ships linked to maritime satellite networks, the risk of incurring high charges increases significantly.

What Could Go Wrong When Flying to an EU Country?

If you're flying to an EU country and switch on your phone, the main issue arises if you're near a border with a non-EU nation or close to coastlines where maritime networks might be accessible. In such cases, your phone could connect to a network that charges much more than expected. Most roaming plans include destinations like Ireland, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, San Marino, and Vatican City. Additionally, some remote French territories, such as Guyane, Guadeloupe, St-Martin, and Reunion, are often included.

However, certain countries are typically excluded from these plans, leading to higher charges. These include:

• Albania
• Andorra
• Bosnia
• Kosovo
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Serbia
• Turkey

Maritime tariffs, commonly encountered on ferries and cruise ships, can be even more expensive.

Potential Roaming Risks and High-Risk Areas

The primary risk of roaming is connecting to a network without realizing it. Phones constantly search for the best signal, which may be located across an international border or on a vessel at sea. Some of the most vulnerable areas include:

• Greek Islands: Corfu's proximity to Albania, Kos's closeness to Turkey, and parts of Lesbos and Chios being near Turkish territory.
• Cyprus: Near the “Green Line,” where phones might select a network from the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
• Croatia: The southern coastal strip near Bosnia poses risks.
• Romania: Locations near the Moldovan frontier.
• Poland and Lithuania (Suwalki Gap): Proximity to Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
• Estonia (Narva): Close to Russia.
• Spain (Tarifa): A walk could lead to connecting to Moroccan networks.
• UK Coast (Kent): Some coastal areas may connect to French networks.

How to Avoid Inadvertent Roaming

To avoid unexpected roaming charges, consider turning off roaming entirely. On Android devices, navigate to "Settings," "Connections," "Mobile Networks," and select "Roaming Off." For iPhones, go to "Settings," then "Mobile Service" and "Mobile Data Options," selecting "Roaming Off." Rely on local free Wi-Fi instead.

If you plan to roam without surprises, start by disabling automatic network selection. On Android, go to "Mobile Networks," select "Network Mode," then "Network Operators," and disable "Select Automatically." On an iPhone, go to "Settings" and "Network Selection," disable "Automatic," and choose a local provider.

What to Do If Roaming Costs Are High

If you’re traveling to a country where roaming is costly, consider getting a local SIM card or an eSIM. These options allow you to make and receive calls and use data at a lower cost, with the ability to top up as needed.

Simon Calder, known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. His weekly opinion column explores key travel issues and what they mean for travelers. The Independent is a global news brand offering news, commentary, and analysis for the independently-minded. It has grown a large readership that values its trusted voice and commitment to positive change.