Before going on vacation this summer, it is advisable to deactivate a specific setting on your smartphone, otherwise you risk receiving a hefty bill upon return. And no, this doesn’t affect Wi-Fi or data abroad.
The holidays are approaching and, with them, the return of a subject that telecom operators hear about every year: telephone bills which explode after a stay abroad. Many people think that it is enough to cut off mobile data or favor Wi-Fi to avoid any risk. In the majority of cases, this effectively limits expenses. But certain situations remain more tricky than one imagines and can be very expensive.
Recently, a 75-year-old German retiree discovered a bill for more than 16,600 euros after a trip. During a tourist tour including a three-day excursion to Türkiye, she made only a few phone calls to reach her husband who remained in Germany. According to the German daily Bildthe amount of these communications represented less than 40 euros. However, its operator has noticed at the same time a massive consumption of mobile data. In the end, almost 100 GB of data would have been consumed in three days, according to information provided by the operator O2 Telefónica.
So how can we explain this significant consumption of data? Since 2017, roaming charges have disappeared in the European Union. As the Ministry of the Economy points out, calls, SMS and mobile data are generally billed under the same conditions as in France when traveling to another EU member country. Result: many users have gotten into the habit of leaving without checking the details of their plan. However, this protection stops at the borders of the countries concerned. Turkey, for example, is not included in classic European offers. Switzerland is also a special case for several French operators. Same observation for certain destinations in the Balkans, North Africa or the Middle East.
In this context, it is therefore essential to go to the settings of your smartphone before each departure abroad and deactivate the “Roaming data” or “Data roaming” option. On iPhone, this option is found in “Settings”, then “Cellular data”, then “Options”, while on Android, it is accessible in “Settings”, then “Network and Internet”, then “Mobile networks”. It should also not be confused with deactivating mobile data: the latter completely cuts off access to the Internet via the mobile network, while the roaming option only prevents the use of data abroad. If it remains activated in a country not covered by the plan, the phone may continue to use the local mobile network and sometimes generate very high costs, even without using the phone excessively.
Indeed, today, a smartphone constantly exchanges data. It can download updates, automatically back up photos, synchronize files or refresh applications without user intervention. Outside of the areas included in the package, these exchanges can quickly become very expensive.
Note that operators have put in place several safeguards to limit unpleasant surprises. SMS alerts are generally sent when a certain spending threshold is reached. According to European rules, protection mechanisms also exist to regulate the use of data abroad. But these security features can sometimes be deactivated by the customer, without knowing it. To leave with peace of mind, it is better to deactivate data roaming even before takeoff. Indeed, when the phone reconnects to a foreign network upon landing, it can immediately sync emails, download photos or launch various updates in the background. Some travelers even prefer to turn on airplane mode during the trip, then use Wi-Fi only once they arrive at the hotel.
