Some Apple iPhone users have received hefty bills after foreign trips, despite switching off data-roaming.
Using the internet, email or, indeed, any application that downloads data, can be a very expensive business for smartphone users when they travel abroad. Foreign network providers will charge a huge amount for using their data. As a consequence, iPhone users are urged to disable data-roaming whenever they travel - a simple process designed to stop them incurring such high bills.
But some iPhone users who had turned off data roaming have complained to the moneysavingexpert.com that they have still been hit by bills. In the worst case, reported in The Telegraph, one user claims to have been charged almost £1,500 after a trip to the US.
According to The Telegraph users who have complained to their network have been given refunds. All major networks have been affected.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "Those who have paid when they shouldn't have, should contact their network immediately and demand a refund. In some cases, we're hearing the networks are paying out without too much argument, which could indicate this is a known problem. Let's hope it does not get brushed under the carpet."
As well as the usual precautions, iPhone users are being warned to ensure that their phone software is up to date. Because legislation now caps the amound that can be charged for data-roaming within the EU, the complaints have almost all originated from journey's outside of Europe.
To find out how avoid such charges, read: Taking the iPhone abroad? Here's how to avoid data-roaming charges.
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Comments
Matt Egan - Editor said: Actually Im not sure thats been established There is clearly a problem with the operators both home and away but although the majority of the complainants have been O2 users its by no means exclusively an O2 issue And do bear in mind that the majority of UK iPhone users are on O2
Jane Ship said: Actually andy O2 is at fault rather than Apple Not sure why the writer hasnt made that clear in the story but if you read the tales of woe on the moneysavingexpert site youll see Apple firmly states its an O2 billing issue
andy said: Another setback once again for Apple it will be interesting to see whats next in the news regarding iPhone issues antenna manufacturing and now service charges and their steps to refund cases wont make up for the iPhone 4s lack of function over formIts a shame to see so many issues with the iPhone 4 after so many people waited for its release Whats more of a shame is that it seems Apple knew about some of these issues already such as the problem with reception Personally Id be happier with an older iPhone - at least then the issues are all ironed outHowever its also interesting to see how much excitement new technologies can bring New technology and innovation is important for new business illustrated by entrepreneurship grants and new business competitions like wwwukesnccomGuess its not all bad
Jane Ship said: Yep exact same thing happened to me Got charged 145 just for being in Spain Wasnt even using the iPhone O2 coughed up but I had to give them what for first