Mobile Internet users can avoid costly bills when abroad

New rules with regards to EU data roaming usage have now come into effect and could help consumers avoid hefty bills stemming from using mobile broadband and internet services whilst abroad.

Whilst many people that head abroad are lucky enough to be able to get online using free WiFi services at their hotel or in nearby venues this is not always available or even viable for some users. Many therefore get online using their own mobile broadband and internet services, but this can prove very costly and some people have ended up facing massive bills as a result of using these services.

However, new EU rules have now kicked in that will help consumers to avoid these huge bills when using mobile internet services. Under new regulations users will be cut off when their usage reaches a default level of fifty Euros. Users can set the limit higher depending on their affordability, and whatever they set it at that is the point at which they will be cut off.

Customers that are using the service will also receive a warning when they have used eighty percent of their limit, and this means that they will be able to better monitor their usage and can be more careful about the remaining usage that they have left. Operators will also have to send details of data roaming charges to customers when they enter another EU country.

European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, said: “There will be no more bill shocks for tourists or business travellers surfing the internet with smart phones or laptops while in another EU country.”

Source – News