Be More Aware to Reduce Your Overseas Mobile Bill, Advises Ofcom
Friday, April 17th, 2009The EU had some time back arrived at a decision to limit the applicable roaming charges within its constituent states. The resolution is expected to come into effect this summer, and should help in overcoming the massive roaming charges problem.
Almost immediately, after the EU decision was made public, Ofcom has released a pamphlet and an associated video offering advice to consumers on how to avoid a mammoth mobile bill when abroad.
The video, which is hilarious, seems to have been made by a couple of first year film students and contains a number of characteristic holiday outfit changes. It talks of commonsensical things, which include finding out whether your laptop or mobile will be functional abroad, what the data charges will be, and which services will be excluded while using your mobile connection abroad.
The pamphlet reiterates common knowledge, agreed Ofcom, but the fact that even a few of the many who go abroad end up with ridiculously high bills shows the importance of this awareness exercise. The advice would be of use while using your mobile phone whether for making calls or texting, or while using your mobile broadband abroad. An option is pay-as-you-go mobile broadband. The Ofcom initiative becomes significant because mobile usage has now become a vital part of our life, and people do not keep a tab on it even while travelling out of the country.
