Outrageous mobile phone roaming charges!

**Peadar** · 09/11/2005, 11:19 AM

Just looking at my bill there and Vodafone charged me 38c for every text message received while I was in Cyprus.
Add VAT @ 21% to that and you've got one hell of a rip off!

**dcfc_1928** · 09/11/2005, 11:24 AM

Try living around the border - this can happen on a daily basis.

In my family home in Tyrone, depending on what room you are in at the time, your mobile phone can switch to Meteor, O2 Ireland etc.

Therefore you start incurring roaming charges even when you haven't left "Northern Ireland"

The whole thing is a rip-off.

Originally Posted by Peadar

Just looking at my bill there and Vodafone charged me 38c for every text message received while I was in Cyprus.
Add VAT @ 21% to that and you've got one hell of a rip off!

**Peadar** · 09/11/2005, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by dcfc_1928

In my family home in Tyrone, depending on what room you are in at the time, your mobile phone can switch to Meteor, O2 Ireland etc.

Simple solution, set your network selection to "Manual."

**Dodge** · 09/11/2005, 11:52 AM

Still shouldn't have to do it though Peadar, especially considering eircom 9and the rest I think) treat NI as Irealdn for the purposes of phone billing...

Do all Mobile companies charge for receiving texts? I'm O2 and thought it was free

**R�iteoir** · 09/11/2005, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Still shouldn't have to do it though Peadar, especially considering eircom 9and the rest I think) treat NI as Irealdn for the purposes of phone billing...

Do all Mobile companies charge for receiving texts? I'm O2 and thought it was free

O2 UK:

Sending a text:
39c

Receiving a text:
Free

**Eire06** · 09/11/2005, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

Just looking at my bill there and Vodafone charged me 38c for every text message received while I was in Cyprus.
Add VAT @ 21% to that and you've got one hell of a rip off!

I'm o2 and it cost me 6c (less than if I was at home) to send a message from cyprus and free to recieve them

**Dodge** · 09/11/2005, 12:45 PM

Yeah just checked. O2 are free to receive

Unlucky Peadar...

**dcfc_1928** · 09/11/2005, 12:46 PM

Simple enough - but most normal punters don't have a clue about settings like this on their phones, and are often caught out.

I wish they'd stop sending those "Welcome to Ireland" text messages as well - I get them when I'm driving from Belfast to Derry?!?! lol

Originally Posted by Peadar

Simple solution, set your network selection to "Manual."

**Green Tribe** · 09/11/2005, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by dcfc_1928

Try living around the border - this can happen on a daily basis.

In my family home in Tyrone, depending on what room you are in at the time, your mobile phone can switch to Meteor, O2 Ireland etc.

Therefore you start incurring roaming charges even when you haven't left "Northern Ireland"

The whole thing is a rip-off.

Happens to me to when I am at home round south Fermanagh/Tyrone border, fecking thing hops to o2 Ireland, not too often though. Worse thing is the really SH1TE reception in that area with Orange and O2, I've tried both.

**drinkfeckarse** · 09/11/2005, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

Just looking at my bill there and Vodafone charged me 38c for every text message received while I was in Cyprus.
Add VAT @ 21% to that and you've got one hell of a rip off!

I'm with Vodafone over here Peadar and everytime I go abroad I get the same thing. Must be a standard thing with them. Totally does my head in.

**dcfc_1928** · 09/11/2005, 12:47 PM

Simple solution, don't use your phone when you're abroad!

Originally Posted by Peadar

Just looking at my bill there and Vodafone charged me 38c for every text message received while I was in Cyprus.
Add VAT @ 21% to that and you've got one hell of a rip off!

**Eire06** · 09/11/2005, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by dcfc_1928

Simple solution, don't use your phone when you're abroad!

or just change to O2

**pete** · 09/11/2005, 2:03 PM

Vodafone website does not say whether there is a charge or if its free to receive texts while abroad.

02 are supposed to be free but they also charge some undetermined charges that i saw on my bill last time was abroad.

**Schumi** · 09/11/2005, 2:08 PM

I think it's normal price for texts on Vodafone. I don't remember losing loads of credit on trips to Derry once I don't answer any calls.

**Dawn_Run** · 09/11/2005, 3:03 PM

Had an issue with Vodafone charging me for unanswered calls whilst in Spain (ie i wouldnt answer the phone if the ID was hidden, just watching the cost). Ended up doing some investigations myself - refused to pay for the 'unanswered calls'. Paid my bill everytime and deducted the charge for unanswered calls.

I spoke with the spanish carrier and they told me that the do NOT charge Vodafone for unanswered calls. So obviously this was a charge that vodafone added on themselves. I put it to them and I was right. Greedy ba$tards.

They lost a heavy usage customer as a result.

**holidaysong** · 09/11/2005, 5:06 PM

I am vodafone and it is free to receive texts when I'm across the border and it is about 44c I think to send them, I don't call anyone or answer anyone when across the border though - just too expensive!

As for changing your network selection to 'manual', it can leave you with no coverage for ages. If a UK network becomes stronger in the border area you live in your phone will cut you off from your home network and give you a prompt to select a network and you could be going around all day with no coverage until you notice this prompt. It is a joke though that I have to pay roaming charges though while still in the Republic of Ireland in order to make sure I have unbroken coverage... About time All-Ireland networks were sorted out!

**anto eile** · 09/11/2005, 7:17 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

Just looking at my bill there and Vodafone charged me 38c for every text message received while I was in Cyprus.
Add VAT @ 21% to that and you've got one hell of a rip off!

tough ****.serves you right for being with either one of them rip off merchant *******s O2 and vodafone.
meteor all the way.
have a mate like you.he always gives out about spending so much credit.whats he expect when hes on vodafone.cvnts.
get your mates (and yourself) to change to meteor.youl save a load of money.(btw meteor have 100% coverage so dont give me that **** signal crap)
vodafone will ask why do you want to leave their network when youre changing over,just be honest-tell them its because theyre thieving *******s who should be strung upside down by the balls and get the living ****e beaten out of them

**Dawn_Run** · 10/11/2005, 11:20 AM

I will give you **** signal crap. I switched to meteor and had to switch back because their coverage was brutal. I would however switch back if they can guarantee the same coverage that o2 and vodafone provide.