Tesco Mobile has announced an extension of its complimentary roaming service, allowing customers to utilize their voice minutes, text messages, and data without any additional charges while traveling in Europe.
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, residents have been excluded from the bloc’s 2022 Roaming Regulations, which prohibit mobile operators from imposing extra fees on customers when they use their phones in other EU countries.
While some service providers have chosen to maintain this benefit, others have started implementing significant charges. Tesco Mobile has confirmed that it will continue to offer free texts, calls, and data in 48 EU destinations “into 2026 and beyond,” despite previous indications that the offer might conclude early next year.
Laura Joseph, Tesco Mobile’s chief customer officer, emphasized the importance of staying connected for families, whether through sharing holiday memories, keeping in touch with loved ones, or navigating unfamiliar locations. The extended roaming offer allows customers to seamlessly use their UK data, minutes, and texts across 48 EU destinations and beyond, without incurring any additional costs, setup hassles, or hidden fees.
Various major mobile providers in the UK have different roaming policies for EU countries. For instance, EE offers a £2.50 daily charge for using voice minutes, texts, and data in its European roaming zone. O2 provides free data roaming in the EU with a 25GB limit while roaming in the Europe Zone. Vodafone charges Pay Monthly customers £7 per day for unlimited calls, texts, and data, while Pay As You Go customers face a daily charge of £1.99.
Customers who activated their plans after October 1, 2021, can access daily roaming for £2 in Europe and £5 in Go Roam Around the World destinations. Three offers up to 56 days of included roaming with the option to purchase additional Go Roam Passes for extended usage.
GiffGaff stands out with its generous policy, allowing customers to use their plans in the EU and select destinations without extra charges. Additionally, the company’s roaming passport at £2 per day enables customers to utilize their UK allowances in over 55 popular vacation spots, including the EU, USA, and Australia.
Overall, these roaming policies offer flexibility and convenience for mobile users traveling within the EU and other designated regions, ensuring that staying connected while abroad remains hassle-free and cost-effective for consumers.