Brits heading to the USA, Thailand, Turkey, or Egypt could face hefty mobile phone bills if they don't take precautions. New research from Sky Mobile reveals that the United States is the most expensive country for data roaming, with common habits like streaming a film trailer potentially costing up to £120.
Why Roaming Costs Add Up
Sky Mobile's Data Roaming Index shows that over half of Brits worry about racking up huge bills while abroad. Forgetting to turn off app notifications can add £20 to a bill, while streaming just one film trailer could cost £120. The index also highlights that background data syncs, using maps for navigation, and even accidentally downloading WhatsApp messages are major data drainers.
Top Data Draining Activities
- Online messaging and WhatsApp downloads
- Using maps and navigation tools
- Searching the web
- Booking restaurants, tours, and day trips
- Posting on social media
How to Cut Costs
Sky Mobile has released a series of 'roaming hacks' to help travellers reduce data usage. Key tips include:
- Download maps, playlists, and shows before travelling
- Switch on low data mode on your device
- Turn off automatic cloud syncing
Sky Mobile has also expanded its Roaming Passport Plus service to 120 destinations, including the EU/EEA, USA, and Australia. For £2 a day, customers can use their UK data, calls, and text allowances as if they were at home, with no setup required.
Top 10 Costliest Countries for Data Roaming
- USA
- Thailand
- Barbados
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Morocco
Ben Case, Managing Director of Connectivity at Sky, said: "According to our research, over half of Brits are afraid to turn on roaming abroad due to potential charges." The full Holiday Hack List is available on Sky Mobile's website.
