Mobile phone operator Vodafone has said that it would reintroduce European roaming fees for new and upgrading British customers in January, following the lead set by rival EE .
Roaming charges were completely abolished in the European Union in 2017, saving holidaymakers and business travellers millions of pounds a year in total additional fees for using their smartphones outside Britain.
But fee-free roaming was not protected in the Brexit agreement Britain signed with the EU.
Vodafone’s UK Chief Executive Ahmed Essam said the majority of its customers were not regular roamers – fewer than half roamed beyond Ireland in 2019 – and they were paying for something they didn’t use.
“So we think it’s fairer to give people more choice over what they pay for, either opting into a price plan that includes free roaming, or paying for roaming only when they roam,” he said.
Eight and 15 day passes would be available at 1 pound per day, Vodafone said, adding that roaming would remain inclusive in the Republic of Ireland for all customers.
