Roaming

The cost of sending a text, making and receiving calls and using data is capped in the EU, but many holidaymakers aren't sure which countries are in the European Union, which could leave them facing hefty mobile phone bills.

BT customers can download an iPhone or Android app to cut the cost of calling from their mobile while abroad. The service can also reduce costs for calling mobiles and 08 numbers in the UK.

Mobile phone giant O2 has hiked roaming rates for customers travelling outside the European Union — with costs nearly trebling in some cases.

Millions of Vodafone pay monthly mobile customers will be hit by price hikes from next month, while some call charges will also rise.

Using your mobile in another European Union country became cheaper yesterday, after European Commission price caps came into force.

Three major mobile networks are introducing special roaming bundles which could help some travellers avoid massive charges while abroad.

Using the mobile internet in another European Union country will become cheaper from July, after the European Commission announced new price caps on the amounts providers can charge.

Using your mobile in another European Union country should become cheaper from July, after a deal was provisionally agreed by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers this week.

Making and receiving mobile phone calls across the European Union could become cheaper from July — but MEPs have rejected proposals to begin making the cost the same as domestic calls from this year.

Mobile phone users could receive greater protection against unexpectedly high bills.