The telecoms regulator has also published a consumer guide to
using mobile phones abroad.
International roaming is a service that allows mobile phone
users to make and receive calls and text messages while travelling
abroad. Each UK mobile operator has established agreements with
overseas networks that allow its customers to use their mobile
phones in many countries around the world, providing their handset
is compatible with those networks.
But Ofcom says that international roaming agreements are complex
and wholesale charges between network operators can vary
significantly. This has led to confusion among users over the wide
range of prices they might pay. Although some operators now offer
simpler, unified retail tariffs, some consumers still incur
substantial mobile phone bills as a result of international roaming
charges.
The watchdog has therefore started an assessment of the UK
market, alongside similar investigations undertaken by other
national regulatory authorities in Europe.
Ofcom has also published a consumer guide, providing advice on
how to reduce costs and setting out the prices that most UK
subscribers are likely to pay when making or receiving calls or
text messages overseas.
