Holidaymakers offered cheaper calls abroad
Vodafone has launched a cut price service for holidaymakers which is set to spark a price war among the mobile phone giants. Travellers have long complained about the cost of using mobile phones abroad, which can run into several pounds per minute. In addition, people receiving calls on their mobile are also charged. Rival companies have responded by selling SIM cards for different countries, which keep the cost of calls down to local rates, but users face the inconvenience of having to use a new phone number while abroad. From now on, Vodafone customers can pay a connection fee per call of between 0.64 euros and 1.99 euros, depending on the country they are in, and then make calls at local rates. Similarly, when receiving calls, customers pay the connection fee each time they receive a call, but can then talk for up to 60 minutes without an additional charge. Rivals 02, T-Mobile and Orange are expected to follow with their own schemes for customers. The Vodafone tarrif scheme will be available in Australia, New Zealand and various countries throughout Europe. But holidaymakers travelling to the US and Asia will not be able to use the service. Vodafone claims that a UK customer in Spain making a five minute call to a mobile or fixed-line number in the UK will pay around 75p, plus the connection fee, compared to £3.75 under existing price plans. The longer customers talk on the phone, the more cost effective the call becomes. However, those making short calls may find there is little benefit as they have to pay the connection fee each time.
Phil Davies
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