Mobile Network Comparison

Giffgaff have unveiled a surprise this week – long-awaited data roaming! The announcement only came out yesterday that it activation would begin today, Thursday 28 July, ready for going live on Friday 29 July. Finally Giffgaff users can use internet data on their smartphones whilst abroad.

But not so fast, data-fiends. First, be sure to check out the pricing rates:

• Data roaming in any EU country (also including Andorra, Croatia, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Vatican City) will cost you £1.50 per MB.
• Data roaming in any other country (including United States, Australia, India and China) is prices at £5.00 per MB.

All data charging is done to the nearest penny which means that you will pay 1p for roughly 7 KB inside Europe and roughly 2 KB everywhere else.

To prevent your phone using data unintentionally, it’s a good idea to switch off data roaming when you’re not using it. To do that on Android, simply hit Menu on a Home Screen and navigate to Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile networks and uncheck Data roaming. On iOS go to Settings > General > Network and slide Data Roaming off. It’s also worth saving money by trying to minimise use of data-intensive apps like YouTube, Spotify or other streaming services and app stores. Also, use mobile versions of website and don’t leave data apps running in the background accidentally.

If you’re abroad and on Giffgaff, please make a note of these rates to avoid running up a massive phone bill when this is activated at 00:00 BST on Friday morning.