What is data roaming?
Stay connected when abroad - and avoid potential charges
Confused about using your phone abroad? Don't worry - we've got you covered. This page has everything you need to know about using your phone or tablet to access mobile data when you're outside the UK.
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What is the difference between data roaming and mobile data?
Mobile data lets you use online apps/services on your phone (or tablet) – whether that's for messaging, ride-sharing, getting from A-to-B, checking the weather and more. At home, this can be part of your normal allowance. Data roaming, however, is when you use mobile data outside of your home network i.e., when you're abroad.
What are roaming charges?
The cost of using your mobile data at home is normally covered by a monthly allowance or add-on. But that isn't always the case when you're abroad. And 19% of holidaymakers don't know you could face extra charges for using your phone abroad, according to research by Ofcom. These are known as roaming charges, and they can apply to calls and texts when using your phone abroad, as well as data.
The amount you'll be charged will depend on which network you're on and how much data you use while on holiday. And there are two main ways in which you'll be charged for data roaming:
You'll pay a set amount for each day you use data outside the UK. For example, with O2 Travel you can get unlimited minutes, texts and data abroad for a fixed daily charge when used.
You'll be charged for each MB of data you use, which can soon add up.
Other useful information
It's also worth remembering that many networks will have fair usage policies. This means they may cap the amount of data you can use when roaming – even if you have a 'roam like at home' deal. This limit can be lower than what you normally get in the UK, so make sure you know how much data you're using. Otherwise, you could face an unwelcome bill.
Ireland is a little unique when it comes to data roaming. Northern Ireland is part of the UK – but the Republic of Ireland is not. That said, the relationship between the two mean that all UK networks currently allow free roaming on the whole island of Ireland.
UK residents travelling within the European Union (EU) used to benefit from free roaming – and could call, text and surf the net using their monthly allowance. Since Brexit, however, that hasn't been the case. For users on most networks, roaming charges now apply when you travel to EU countries from France to Croatia. That said, some UK networks continue to include free EU roaming in their Pay As You Go and Pay Monthly deals. O2 is proud to be one of those networks – and O2 customers can use up to 25GB of data in the EU safe in the knowledge that it won't cost any extra.
Data roaming charges outside of the EU vary depending on the country you're in – and, to a certain extent, the UK network you're on. Many networks have plans and add-ons that allow you to roam in specific countries without running up a huge bill. The O2 Travel Bolt On, for example, gives you unlimited minutes, texts and data in 75 destinations outside Europe, for a fixed daily charge that only applies on the days when you use your phone abroad.
Data roaming FAQs
This is when roaming is included in your monthly allowance. Some UK networks will call it "inclusive roaming", while others may have a different name for it. O2, for example, has the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt On, which is available on selected O2 Refresh and SIM only deals. This means you can 'roam like at home' in 27 destinations world wide with unlimited text, minutes and data.
In 2017, 'roam like at home' rules were introduced in the European Union (EU) – as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. it essentially meant that anyone living in those nations could use their monthly allowances at no extra cost. In summer 2022, they were extended for another 10 years.
As a result of Brexit, however, those EU roaming rules no longer apply to mobile operators in the UK – and some decided to bring back roaming charges in European countries. O2 is one of the operators that has not done this – and has no plans to do so in future.
Current period roaming is the amount of data you have used while connected to a network other than your own. Your phone can tell you how much data you have used in that time.
All operators will have a fair usage policy, which is designed to stop people from misusing or over-using their allowance. Breaching this policy can lead to extra bill charges, or even disconnection in the most serious cases.
Going abroad? Don't be shocked if your operator has a roaming fair usage policy that caps data below the amount you'd otherwise get at home.
If your device has data roaming switched on, it'll be able to connect to – and use – internet services when you're abroad via a local mobile network.
You might have turned it on to check your email or send a quick message. But don't forget – some background applications can use data at the same time. And this can cause charges to build up on your bill if you're not on top of it all.
If data roaming is switched off on your device, you won't be able to access online services via the local mobile network. You'll have to either wait for a WiFi connection or buy a local SIM card.
Used sensibly, data roaming can be really useful – especially if you're in a new place for the first time. It can help you find your way, keep in touch, learn something new and book tickets. Without data roaming, you're limited to what you can do while out and about if you can't find a WiFi network or any other means of getting online.
Useful links
