The sky-high cost of using mobile phones abroad has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks, nevertheless with some careful planning it is possible to make unlimited calls back to the UK during overseas without being charged a penny.
Mobile operators have ramped up charges for using their handsets – especially when outside the EU – as a result of a clampdown on what they can charge for connecting calls within the UK.
Most mobile providers offer bolt-on deals which offer reduced-rate overseas calls, depending on the territory. From the US, to illustrate, O2 callers would save money on a bolt-on if they make more than seven minutes of calls during away.
However, the march of Voice over the Internet Protocols, coupled with the advent of smartphones and tablet computers just as the iPad and BlackBerry’s Playbook, mean that you can use the wifi function on these devices to make and receive calls during abroad thoroughly free.
Skype was the first to harness the internet to allow its members to make free international calls over the internet, however a host of others have been quick to follow in its wake and some have improved the user-friendliness of making these so-called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls. This means that where as Skype requires all users to have a Skype address in order to make free calls, Vopium and Rebtel use innovation in the background of a user’s smartphone to make the calls using the numbers stored in the phone’s contacts book. Both parties to the call, nevertheless, nevertheless have to have the same VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) app on their phone to capitalise on free calling – if only one person has the app, calls are cheaper yet not free when made from the UK on a UK-contracted handset.
However, those considering taking their UK phones and tablets overseas need to do a bit more legwork to ensure they can make free calls during abroad. And it is vital not to skip these steps if you don’t want to end up clocking up massive roaming charges.
Consumer group Which? found that regular phone use on a two-week holiday would cost less than £40 in France, up to £190 in the United States – and up to £300 from Russia. Those browsing the internet could rack up even higher bills with their mobile providers’ data roaming charges.
At present only Skype and Vopium work through wifi. What this means is that someone by the Rebtel app on their UK mobile would be hit with their provider’s roaming charges if they made calls with their mobile during abroad.
In contrast, those with Skype and Vopium can call for free during in a wifi zone. In the same fashion, the video calling applications on iPad2, iPhone4 and BlackBerry’s Playbook all route calls through the internet so are free, provided they are made in a wifi zone.
An Apple spokeswoman said: “FaceTime is a feature of iPhone 4, which allows you to make video calls over a wifi network to another compatible device. You can now make FaceTime video calls to iPad 2, iPhone 4, the new iPod touch and Mac all without incurring your network’s call or data charges.”
Holidaymakers need to check if the hotel they have booked provides free wifi access. Many hotels see charging for wifi access as an extra revenue stream when all is said and done it is important to check earlier travelling. Those who find their hotel or resort does apply a charge will need to investigate free wifi locations previously they jet off.
Here BT Broadband clients are at an advantage over those who have Virgin or Sky. BT Broadband clients can sign up to free access to something called Fon which gives them free access to wifi in thousands of places around the UK, including Starbucks and Cafe Nero. It as well gives them free access during abroad as then.
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