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Phone Operator Bans Overseas Laptop Data Downloads
Mon, 07 Jul 2008
Mobile phone operator 3 has made the unusual step of banning customers from downloading data from their phones to their laptops when abroad. The move is designed to save customers from facing large bills on their return from travelling, though will lift the ban for customers who request to be able to download data when abroad. However, 3 will still recommend a £50 credit limit on their accounts.

The decision follows speculation that the EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, will impose legislation in the coming weeks forcing mobile phone operators to cut the amount they charge to users engaging in data roaming overseas. 3 currently offers its customers ‘dongles’, which connect laptops to the internet on the move, but doesn’t cover sending text messages . By acting before the main holiday season, it is hoped consumers can be saved from some scary phone bills .

The rumoured changes in legislation are likely to cover charges for texting when abroad, though may not limit data costs as yet given that it is still growing. Some steps have already been taken to cut the costs of consumer’s phone bills when abroad, with T Mobile already responding to a request by the EU telecoms commissioner to cut overseas phone bills, and have reduced its data roaming charges by 80 per cent.