What countries have the highest data roaming charges?

Many of us like to take our smartphones on business trips abroad or holidays to exotic countries but, if want to, it is a good idea to find out what you might be charged. Especially in regard to data roaming charges – or the bill you get may be a shock!
Whether you’re just planning to do some social networking whilst lounging around the pool or business demands you surf the web or send documents or emails – be aware all of these things will incur data roaming charges.
Typical data usage
Viewing 20 web pages -3.5Mb
1 minute connecting to app -3Mb
1 minute streaming music – 1MB
Sending 1 document – 0.5Mb

On the back of naive phone users receiving colossal bills for using their phones abroad, EU legislators have recently capped prices on all phone use in the EU. This is welcome news to most of us, a new phone from somewhere like www.dialaphone.co.uk wont be extortionate to use within the EU.

Capped prices

Downloading data – 38p/1MB (ex VAT)
Make a call – 20p/minute
Receive a call – 6p/minute
Send a text – 7p

However, EU legislations capped prices only cover phone users inside the EU, and it is important to realise that downloading date in other countries will cost you between 8 – 16 times as much.
It is wise to check out data roaming charges before you use your phone abroad, as whilst many popular holiday destinations such as Portugal, France, Spain, Greece, the Balearics and the Canary Islands fall into the capped usage brackets, places like The Maldives, Canada, USA, Australia and Egypt don’t.

Typical charges in the USA

£1.40/min – Voice Call
99p/min – Receiving a voice call
35p – Sending a text
£2/min – Sending a video call
£1.50/min – Receiving a video call
£3/MB – Internet usage
35.7p – Sending a picture message
37.8p – Sending a video message

Most none EU countries charge the same for texts messaging and video calls, however Egypt, Brazil and Canada charge £6/MB.

Photo credit: psd

Tags: roaming charges

Category: Deals