Making calls, sending text messages and using mobile data to surf the web could soon cost you a small fortune if the UK fails to strike a Brexit deal, a draft government document has revealed.
The document warns that come 29 March it won’t be able to stop mobile firms re-introducing roaming charges in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
"It will not be possible to impose a limit on the wholesale charges faced by UK operators when their customers use networks owned by EU operators,” the document states.
“In the event we leave the EU without a deal, the continuation of surcharge-free mobile roaming for UK citizens travelling in the EU would be a commercial decision for the operators,” a spokesman for Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport added.
No guarantees
EU law saw mobile roaming charges scrapped back in 2017. This meant it cost the same to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data on your phone anywhere in the EU as it did in the UK. It also meant that calls made, texts sent and data used while you were abroad in the EU came out of your call, text and data allowances if you were a monthly contract customer.
While roaming charges might make a come-back, Three told us it will continue allowing customers on its Go Roam package to use their call, text and data allowances within the EU and beyond at no extra cost. "We’re committed to eradicating excessive roaming charges and will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations, allowing our customers to continue using their usual allowances when they travel within the EU," a Three spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, EE and O2 confirmed they don't plan to change their existing roaming offers, although they couldn't guarantee it.
“We are working closely with government on this and hope Brexit negotiations will help ensure that UK operators can continue to offer low prices to our customers,” EE told us.
O2 said it would "try and protect the current arrangements so our customers can continue to enjoy free EU roaming once Britain officially leaves the EU."
Vodafone said it was too soon to tell what might happen to roaming charges in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but that it expects "competition will continue to drive good value for customers”.
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