Mobiles

New European Union rules coming into effect this week will slash the cost of using your mobile in most of Europe. But while it's been touted as "the end of roaming charges", it's not that simple.

Mobile phone users could switch network simply by sending a 'goodbye' text to the operator they want to leave, under new proposals by regulator Ofcom.

Mobile firm Three is adding to its list of countries you can use your phone in without paying roaming charges from 15 June. But you'll still face a limit on the amount of your UK data allowance you can use abroad and fees for exceeding that limit – despite the much-touted 'ban' on EU roaming charges coming in next month.

Mobile network giant EE has become the first provider to confirm some customers with high data packages WILL face extra charges to use their full UK allowance while travelling in Europe, even after a supposed 'ban' on EU roaming charges has come into effect.

We're going to stick our necks out here and assume you've almost all got a mobile. Many can't cope without it. Yet millions are overpaying. Either by letting contracts roll over and effectively paying for a phone you already own, being hounded into expensive upgrades, or just not searching for the best deals.

Mobile phone firms will soon have to let users cap their monthly bill to stop them being hit with unexpected charges for going outside their allowance, after a new law was passed.

Vodafone pay-monthly customers who are outside the minimum term of their contract in June will be slapped with an annual price increase of up to £42 - but you can dodge the hike without paying a penny.

Vodafone has launched free roaming in 40 destinations for new and upgrading customers – but free roaming will be compulsory across the EU from 15 June anyway, so for most it won't be worth signing up to a new contract for.

Pay-monthly customers on mobile network Three will see their bills rise by 2.6% next month in line with inflation - even if they're in the middle of their contract term.

A Vodafone customer has told how he racked up an astonishing £10,500 bill after exceeding the data allowance on his Wi-Fi dongle, which he mistakenly thought had been capped. If you use broadband on the go, beware – some Vodafone dongle customers don't have any caps on their usage in the UK, even though all providers cap dongle usage abroad.