o2 - when a UK text is not a UK text..

andrewb · 20-09-2009, 10:44

Just been abroad to Turkey. Before going I found out how much texts were going to cost me. I went to the o2 international information website for people travelling abroad. You can find it at Standard rates and data costs - International - O2

It states that "Text messages abroad are included in your domestic allowance. Pay Monthly customers can use text messages from within their normal text message allowance, at a rate of 4 to 1 i.e. you will use 4 normal text messages to send a text message from anywhere abroad."

I have an unlimited text message allowance. Yet they still want to charge me £110 because they claim that the 1200 UK texts I get with my contract is different to the Unlimited UK texts bolt-on. You can use the former abroad but not the latter. Nowhere on that international information site can I find details suggesting this.

Very little I can do I think as they are adamant that I can only use the 1200 abroad, so 300 at a rate of 4 to 1. Anyone any suggestions?

cashman · 20-09-2009, 10:51

yeh do same as me andrew, leave the damn thing at home.

andrewb · 20-09-2009, 10:56

I was asking for suggestions on getting my money back

- now that they've made me aware I won't be texting from abroad again! All very misleading.... until you've used it then they smack you with the bill!

Boeing Guy · 20-09-2009, 13:03

May be no help, but with me living abroad, I find Skype is pretty good....

BERNADETTE · 20-09-2009, 13:26

It is confusing, when my sister was abroad I got free calls and texts to her. Little did I know that she was having to pay each time I conctacted her. Needless to say I knocked it on the head and left the communication up to her.

Barrie Yates · 20-09-2009, 14:50

Wherever I am outside UK I buy a local pay as you go Sim Card in that country. Many countries - especilly third world, have much lower rates than in UK and the rest of the EU. On returning to UK just switch the Sim Cards back - your phone needs to be unblocked.

jaysay · 20-09-2009, 16:32

I can text my Daughter in the Fare East and have never seen extravagant charges although I'm only on pay as you go I check to see hat the costs are, mind you only use that method in emergencies, emails okay for me

Barrie Yates · 20-09-2009, 16:40

I send quite a few text messages to Australia and USA - Have a look at Voipcheap or
12Voip and compare those charges with what you pay oon your mobile - I think you will find them much lower - also use it from France to UK and free to UK landlines and landlines in many overseas countries.

Studio25 · 21-09-2009, 08:45

Something else to consider is that when your 'phone latches onto a local signal, then (as far as the system is concerned) you're in that country. If you pay (or pay more) for texts or calls received when abroad, you'll still pay for them at that rate even if your 'phone is off, and the first you know about it is when you switch the 'phone on when back in the UK and pick up your texts or voicemails.