Vodafone UK subscribers will be able to make calls and send text messages for the same data charges they pay in the United Kingdom this summer, the company announced. The move to eliminate some roaming charges for phone calls and text messaging will help convince subscribers to use their phone outside the country, without the fear of extra fees.
Starting June 1 until August 31, both Vodafone contract subscribers and pay as you go users who register for the 'Vodafone Passport' will have the ability to call and text when they go on holiday in France, Germany, Denmark, and other European nations.
The Vodafone Passport -- which is free to sign up for -- offers roaming support for 35 countries, though it costs 75 pence each time a call is connected while outside the U.K. Vodafone has 18 million subscribers in the U.K., and 22 million Passport subscribers spread across Europe.
Many European travelers go on holiday during the summer and it's possible they'll go to several different countries, which can cause mobile phone bills to increase significantly when roaming charges are a factor.
Due to the unfair roaming charges, the European Union (EU) in 2007 capped mobile roaming call fees. Calls are capped at 0.49 euro per minute when placing a call, and 0.24 euro per minute when receiving the call.
