Consumers with mobile broadband are urged to check the small print with regards to charges for downloads made whilst abroad

Mobile broadband has become increasingly popular over recent months, and consumers have embraced this new technology, taking advantage of various special offers from the range of providers vying for custom in what has become an increasingly competitive field. However, many consumers seem unaware of the additional charges that may apply when using mobile broadband abroad to download, and a number of consumers have been hit with hefty bills as a result of this.

In a recent case one forty six year old solicitor was hit with a bill for close to five thousand pounds after she used her iPlayer whilst enjoying some time in the French Riviera. She watched a number of programmes through her iPlayer, such as the apprentice, but had no idea that she would be hit with additional charges. The bill of £4900 therefore came as a shock, and she has so far refused to pay, claiming that she was not told about these charges.

In another recent incident a man was hit with a bill for a massive eleven thousand pounds after his wife downloaded four episodes of the popular comedy show Friends. The download should have been free, by unfortunately her husband flew out to Germany whilst the programmed were still downloading, and the download did not complete until after he landed in Germany, which effectively meant that it had been downloaded abroad.

Officials state that it is important to check the small print as there may be strict usage restrictions for downloads abroad, and anything over and above the specified usage figures can be charged at hefty fees – for example, Vodafone charges £4.25 per Megabyte for any additional usage for downloads abroad.