Mobile Roaming Use your phone abroad for free

Taking your mobile abroad can turn it into a cash assassin in some places, costing £2/min just to receive a call. Of course, the easiest solution is don't take your phone with you.

This is a full guide to getting the cheapest mobile roaming (the term for overseas use) rates to sometimes cut the cost of £100 calls to a fiver, either by accessing your network's hidden deals or using specialist international Sim cards.

Five things everyone should know

Use your mobile abroad and you are using "mobile roaming" - this is when you connect to an overseas network and calls are routed via that network provider instead of your home provider, at a vastly increased cost.

It doesn't just happen abroad though; you could be on the White Cliffs of Dover and connect to an overseas network without realising. If you don't act on anything else, read these five must-knows:

It's free to receive texts, so that beats calls

Even in the EU where costs are capped, it's still around 10p/min to receive calls. However it's free to receive texts anywhere worldwide, so ask friends to message you not call. While it costs around 50p to reply outside the EU, condense the message (lrn 2 spk txt) and it's still relatively cheap. Don't go back and forth, though.

Alternatively, use your mobile as a pager; get people to text if they want to chat and then use a cheaper way to call back. Or get your family to call your room phone - they can use MSE's International CallChecker to find the cheapest way.

Using mobile internet costs a fortune

"Data roaming", using the web overseas, can cost large, so switch it off before you go. If you have to access the web then use free wi-fi hotspots, and if checking emails, don't download attachments.

The most dangerous move is to watch or download TV and films while abroad. Do this, and you could soon rack up a bill costing £100s.

More on slashing data roaming costs

Using the internet on your mobile overseas can cost massively - around £8 per megabyte, which could easily be used in one session. Though new EU legislation means that once your roaming usage reaches the €50 (around £41) cap, your service will be cut off.

By July 2012 accessing the net using your mobile will be a lot cheaper, and capped at €0.90/MB - falling to around €0.40/MB by July 2014.

If you're worried about being hit with a mammoth mobile bill for using the internet on your phone when abroad, the simplest answer is to switch off data roaming altogether. But if you really can't cope without it, here are a few tips:

• Use free wi-fi. Sites like Free Hotspot, Hotspot Locations and Jiwire will tell you where to locate free wi-fi hot spots. Use these if you need to get online.

• Watch out for emails. Checking emails shouldn't use up much data but beware of downloading attachments. This will cost you big time.

• Check add-on bundles. As with traditional roaming, most providers offer data add-on bundles. These are still pricey, but will limit steep costs.

• Free 3G web-access with Kindle. Anyone with a Kindle can get online for free, as the e-book reader offers free 3G wireless connectivity in 100 countries.

iPhone users beware

All iPhones have a function which allows you to switch off data roaming which should mean no charges when away. However, complaints have flooded in from MoneySavers saying they have taken the necessary steps to disable roaming, and have still been charged.

Here are things to do before you leave the UK, though if this problem is not rectified or you've downloaded unauthorised software, you could still be charged. If you're wrongly charged, ask your provider for a refund.

• Ensure software is up-to-date. When you plug your phone into iTunes you will be alerted to any new software updates. Then follow the on-screen prompts. O2 says a fault in a previous iPhone software version led to erroneous charges.

• Switch off data roaming BEFORE you leave the UK and keep it off. While it is on, some apps trigger data downloading even when you're not browsing the web. You may also be downloading emails inadvertently.
  
  When you buy an iPhone, data roaming should be "off" by default. You can check by going to settings > general > network, and move the Data Roaming slider to "off".

• Ensure emails are set to manually retrieve message. This will stop it happening by surprise in case you turn data roaming on.

Lots of networks have "don't ask, don't get" deals

Many providers have hidden packages for calling when abroad that'll slash the cost of calls. If you want an easy option, with no fuss, this is it; but is best for those making few calls.

Some add-ons are free, others require a monthly fee. But remember to cancel when you're back. See full details of provider's packages.

Got access to wi-fi? Call for free or for pennies

If you've got a smartphone or internet access, download an "internet-to-phone" calling system like Skype* before you go. Provided the person you're calling also has Skype, you'll simply need to find a free wi-fi spot to call for free.

Alternatively, Jajah* allows anyone with web access to make cheap or even free calls via normal landlines or mobiles, meaning you can use your hotel room phone. For details read VoIP: Completely Free Calls Worldwide.

Heavy callers should switch Sim cards

Using a special Sim card is the best way to slash call costs. You can either get one Sim which will work in a host of countries for less than you'd pay your provider, or pick up a local Sim for a specific country - by far the cheapest way to use your mobile abroad. See below for the cheapest roaming Sim cards.

Solution 1: Alternatives to calling on mobiles

Calling from your mobile while in the EU can cost up to £5 for a 10-minute call, or £25 outside the EU, so it's imperative you use a cheaper way to call when possible.

Consider some of the tips below to avoid these hefty charges. And, be very careful to avoid making calls from your hotel phone; these usually cost a fortune.

It's free to receive texts abroad

Even in the EU where costs are capped, it's still about 10p/min to receive calls. It's free to receive texts anywhere worldwide though, so ask friends to message, not call. While it costs around 50p to reply outside the EU, condense the message (lrn 2 spk txt) and it's still quite cheap. Don't get into a conversation though.

Use your mobile like a pager

There are many cheaper ways to call home than using a mobile (see below), so use your phone as a pager so people can tell you they want to talk. If they can, ask them to text, or at the worst leave a short message (after all, you pay a big whack to receive calls). Then call them back a cheaper way.

Get friends and family to call your hotel room

If you have a phone in your hotel room, ask people to call you. By using a specialist cheap calls provider they can call for as little as 1p/min, without setting up an account.

The cheapest number for each country can be found with the International CallChecker, and there's a more detailed "how-to" explanation in the Cheap International Calls guide.

Remember, this method can't be used for calling your mobile cheaply. When you take a mobile abroad, it still counts as a UK mobile when someone calls it - so while they'll pay the standard UK rate for the call, you'll also have to pay to receive the call.

If you've got web access call via VoIP for free

If you've got a smartphone or internet access, download an "internet-to-phone" calling system like Skype* before you go. If the person you're calling also has Skype, you'll simply need to find a free wi-fi spot to call for free.

Alternatively, Jajah* allows anyone with web access to make cheap or even free calls via normal landlines or mobiles, meaning you can use your hotel room phone. For details read VoIP: Completely Free Calls Worldwide.

Solution 2: Cut the cost of using your mobile

If you're only likely to make a few calls, or are sticking within the EU, the easiest way is to sign-up for a special discounted call package from your network.

However, if you want the cheapest solution, use a different Sim card (see switch Sim for big savings).

Many of the network providers offer special packages which reduce the cost of roaming abroad; some of these are free, others require a monthly fee. Regardless of which package you choose, follow these rules:

Network bundles within the EU

New EU regulations mean the maximum providers can charge has slowly been falling. Calls made to an EU country while in another EU state are now capped at roughly 31p/min (excl VAT), down from around 43p. Receiving calls can cost no more than roughly 10p/min, down from 19p.

Orange Europe travellerAll contract customers, £5/mth.

For £5.10, you get 200 mins at the reduced price of 27.4p/min (instead of 36.6p/min) plus 200 mins of received calls for free. See Orange* for full info.

European countries not included: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus (North), Faroe Islands, Gaza Strip, Georgia, Israel, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, West Bank.

O2 My Europe ExtraAll customers, £10/mth.

Similar to the Orange package above, but with far wider scope, O2's My Europe Extra costs £10.21 and you can make calls for 25p/min, plus receiving calls is free. It's available as a one-off, or a one-month rolling contract. See O2* for more details.

European countries not included: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Gaza Strip, Georgia, Israel, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, West Bank.

Vodafone PassportFREE, contract & pay as you go users

This opt-in service is free and calls cost a 75p connection charge plus your standard home rate - so if you have inclusive minutes just 75p per call.

Receiving calls is a 75p connection charge but free per minute for the first 60 mins, 20p/min thereafter. See Vodafone for more.

European countries not included: Belarus, Gaza Strip, Georgia, Israel, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, West Bank.

T-Mobile, Euro 5 Talk & Text BoosterAll contract customers, £5/mth.

For £5.10, you get a travel allowance of £7.50 to make up to 19 minutes of calls, receive up to 53 minutes of calls or send up to 75 texts while you are in certain countries. Calling will cost 38p/min. See T-Mobile* for more.

European countries not included: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus (North), Faroe Islands, Gaza Strip, Georgia, Israel, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, West Bank.

Network bundles for outside the EU

While roaming prices within the EU have tumbled, the rest of the world is still pricey (and it's important to note several countries in Europe are not covered by EU legislation, incl Turkey, Croatia and Switzerland). However, you can cut the price of roaming using your usual network by adding a subscription package:

O2, International Traveller Service, contract users, £3.06/month Free on tariffs with 600+ inclusive mins

This cuts the cost of calls a fair whack depending on where you are, eg, receiving a call in the USA costs 39p/min with the ITS, compared to the usual £1.03/min. See O2* for more.

Orange, World TravellerContract users, £5/month.

This reduces the cost of calls by up to 30%. See Orange* for more.

Solution 3: Switch Sim to slash call costs

You can get much cheaper calls and receive them for free by switching Sim card, though as you need to pay, it's only suitable for those who make sufficient calls. Check your provider's own options first.

Which type of Sim to buy?

There are two main options:

1. Buy a local Sim card (the cheaper route)

   This is a specific Sim card for the country you are going to which gives you a new number while in use. Generally, this works out cheaper, however, if you travel regularly it means picking one for each journey and giving out a new number each time (see Cheap Local Sims).

   In some places, especially the US, it may make more sense to grab a super-basic PAYG handset which comes pre-loaded with minutes. Some of these handsets are very cheap and, of course, you needn't unlock them.

2. Get an international roaming Sim card (the easier route)

   Here you use a special multi-country Sim card. While not as cheap as a local card, you only need to buy it once, and keep the same number wherever you are, making it more convenient (see Cheap International Sims).

Cheapest local Sims

While you can usually buy Sims for less once you're away, for ease, you can get a local Sim in advance for £15 to £30 (and most usually have some call credit already on them).

This means you know the number and have it all set-up before you go. Ensure you pick the right network though, as prices vary. There's a useful list of overseas networks on Prepaidgsm.

0044 Local Sim:France, Spain and more

Get local prepaid Sims for around 20 different countries worldwide from 0044*. They can be quite pricey - up to £40. Or you can get a contract Sim card, but these are only good for those on long visits or who travel a lot.

UK2Abroad: US only

If you're travelling to the US, it's not easy for non-residents to get local Sims (though you sometimes can via eBay), but UK2Abroad* offers a special US local Sim.

Further ways to cut costs

Rebtel allows you to make roaming calls for the price of a local call. It does this by routing calls from mobiles through local landlines. This is useful for those with local Sims, as calling abroad can still be costly, but local calls can be dirt cheap. Full details in the Free International Calls guide.

Cheapest global Sims

A global Sim offers allows you to have the same number every time you go away. To keep the cost of making calls lower, international Sims use call-back systems. Here, you call, are immediately disconnected, then 10 seconds later your phone rings to connect you. Calls are routed via a landline to make it cheaper but this can make things fiddly.

The best buys

Global Sims usually cost £15 - £30 to buy, and all have similar call costs but varying credit. Yet it's worth checking the specific costs for countries you visit regularly.

The cheapest - Story Telecom £35 with £25 credit

Storytelecom wins as its £35 (inc £5 postage) TravelTalk card gives £25 call credit, and has good service feedback to boot.

The credit lasts for 12 months after purchase.

Alternatives: Tried & tested Truphone local anywhere and more

The slightly more expensive Tru (previously Sim4travel) costs £19.99 and gives £10 call credit. Every 30 days of inactivity costs £2 which is a big disadvantage, but receiving one text counts as activity, so this can be avoided.

Other international Sim providers. 0044Global Sim* and Simply-fone are also worth checking if you regularly go to one country but cannot get a local Sim.

Ensure people call you cheaply

When people call you, if you're using a local Sim, they're effectively calling that country. With a global Sim, regardless of where you are, they're calling the country the Sim's based in. For instance, Sim4Travel is Liechtenstein, Storytelecom is the Isle of Man and Oneroam is Estonia.

Done correctly, these calls should only cost pennies, providing your friends/family call via one of the instant access cheap dial providers (see the International CallChecker for the daily-updated cheapest way to call any country).