44/02
1 July 2002

Visitors from the UK using their mobile phone in France this summer can save themselves around 40 per cent or more on their phone bill whilst away by following advice published by Oftel today.

Many mobile phone users are still unaware of the higher charges for making and receiving calls when abroad.

The Oftel survey shows that whether you travel to France each month on business, or you’re going on a two-week summer holiday, a few simple steps can save you money on your mobile phone bill.

Key findings of the survey are:

• Pre-pay customers can reduce their phone bill by 18 per cent by changing the settings on their phone and using a different mobile network when abroad;
• Holidaymakers, with a monthly contract, going on a two-week holiday to France can reduce their phone bill by 21 per cent by signing up for their mobile operator’s international traveller services;
• Frequent travellers, or those spending a long period of time in France, can save themselves money by using the SIM card of a French mobile operator during their stay:
  • up to £28 on a pre-pay phone bill of £82; and
  • up to £34 on a bill of £64 with a contract phone.

This research follows on from an Oftel survey into the savings possible for mobile users travelling between the UK and Ireland. The results of both surveys suggest that similar savings could be made by applying the same principles wherever you’re travelling in Europe.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today that the most important thing was to check charges with your mobile operator before you travel:

"When using your mobile phone abroad it’s easy to get caught out by higher charges - and the fact that you get charged for receiving as well as making calls.

"Call costs vary a lot between different tariffs and many consumers are taken by surprise when they tot up their phone bill at the end of their trip.

"Check how much it will cost to use your mobile phone abroad before you travel. You then have time to decide if it is worth changing your tariff.

"You may find it best to change from pre-pay to contract for example.

"Or you may want to take advantage of the international traveller services that some mobile companies offer.

"Or you may just decide to send text messages instead of making calls - which often works out cheaper."

Oftel’s advice about how to use mobile phones overseas is backed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign.

Richard Morris, deputy head, Consular Division said today:

"The ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign aims to help British travellers better prepare for travelling overseas so that they are more likely to enjoy a trouble-free trip.

"Using your mobile phone when travelling is one of the best ways of keeping in touch with people back home, making local arrangements and reaching assistance in the case of an emergency – but it is important to know how much these calls will cost you before you go.

"We recommend all travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance for their trips abroad and check out the mobile phone tips and other travel advice on our ‘Know Before You Go’ website."

Oftel’s advice is available on the Oftel website at www.oftel.gov.uk. The advice is also available on the Know Before You Go website at www.fco.gov.uk along with other useful hints and tips for travellers going abroad this summer.

Notes to editors

1. Getting the best deal when using your mobile phone in France is published on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/research/2002/rofr0602.htm. General information on getting the best deal when using your mobile phone abroad is published on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/mobile/2002/roam0602.htm. Paper copies are available to the press from Oftel’s Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from Oftel’s Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761.

2. Press queries about the ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign should be directed to Biss Lancaster at blfco@bisslancaster.com or telephone 020 7497 3001.

3. The SIM card is a small electronic chip that links your phone to a particular mobile network. Mobile phone users can get foreign network SIM cards from some UK mobile retailers or by asking mobile phone retailers when they are abroad.

4. The advice published today is not intended to be a quality of service report and should not be seen as a recommended buyer’s guide to mobile services in the UK and France. Any reference to a company should not be seen as endorsing that company or the services it provides.

5. Oftel’s recent international benchmarking report, available on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/research/2002/benchmob0602.htm, shows that roaming charges for UK consumers are lower on average than elsewhere for post-pay consumers and substantially higher than elsewhere for pre-pay consumers.