Tablet users beware…using your
iPad or
Android tablet abroad this summer could cost you 1,000 times more than standard
data roaming rates in the UK.
According to new research by consumer watchdog Which? data charges in the UK for
tablet computers start from as low as £7.50 a month for 1GB of data. However, many UK wireless carriers charge £1 for every 1MB of data used abroad, meaning the same level of usage while roaming overseas would cost a staggering £1,000.
Data charges are limited to around £40 in the EU due to an automatic cap required by EC regulation, but such limits do not apply for non-EU countries.
As a result, many long-stance travellers who access
3G internet to check emails, watch videos and
download music on their tablet device whilst abroad are left with astronomical bills when returning to the UK, especially those who visit the US where, according to Which?, some networks charge as much as £8 per MB for data use.
Commenting on the findings, Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith said: "Until data costs come down, anyone considering their tablet or
mobile for using the net abroad should steer well clear of 3G data roaming and use free
WiFi access where available instead."