Berlin (dpa) — Modern smartphones automatically connect to the best available network in terms of signal strength — which isn’t a problem unless they move you to a more expensive tariff.
That can be an issue for people living in or visiting border regions of the European Union (EU). The EU has banned roaming charges if you use a different network from your usual one when travelling.
However, if you’re close to a border with a non-EU country and your phone connects to a provider in that country you may find yourself facing higher bills.
One such risk is near non-EU member Switzerland. If you’re in an EU country close to the Swiss border and your phone connects to a Swiss provider, a call can cost up to €1.49/$1.60 more per minute than it would on an EU tariff, according to price comparison website Verivox.
Another example is where Greece borders Turkey, for example, on the Greek holiday island of Kos. A call using a Turkish network can cost up to €2.29/$2.48 per minute. Northern Cyprus is also partially classified as part of the Turkish tariff zone.
Calls will be just as expensive in Bosnia-Herzegovina or Montenegro, which border the EU country Croatia. Roaming costs also arise for the small states of Andorra and Monaco.
Surfing can also be costly
When it comes to using the internet on your phone, surfing in border regions can cost more than €12/$13 per megabyte in the worst case scenario. However, cost caps that come into effect at just under €60 will prevent shock bills amounting to thousands of euros, Verivox says.
Some good news: Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are not part of the EU, but are classified as EU tariffs by all major providers. And despite Brexit, this also continues to apply to the UK for most providers.
According to Verivox, accidental roaming is particularly expensive with prepaid and discount tariffs. Here, the fees for using the internet abroad are comparatively high.
German motoring association ADAC points out that EU roaming does not apply on ships. Anyone who is on a ferry or cruise ship and uses their smartphone via the on-board network will have to pay even when within the EU — this can cost up to €10/$10.80 per minute.
How to avoid shocking bills
So what can holidaymakers do to avoid these unexpected costs? Verivox advises that if you want to make a call in a border region, you should switch your phone to manual network selection. Then the device won’t automatically connect to the strongest - and possibly most expensive - network.
If you don’t want to be accidentally connected to the internet, for example during a stopover at an airport, switch off data roaming by turning off mobile data or activating flight mode.
Booking special international options is usually not worth it, says Verivox, because they usually only offer a small amount of data. For longer stays in a non-EU country, a local prepaid card can be purchased in advance instead.
It’s also a good idea to ask your provider about roaming costs before travelling. Once you arrive at your destination you should always use free wi-fi when possible, for example in your accommodation.