Warnings over using smartphones abroad

Mobile workers are being warned they could face huge bills if they use their smartphone overseas before the start of July.

Consumer group Which? has said people travelling in Europe could face unlimited bills until new rules come into play on 1st July, which will cap bills for downloading data. Although most tariffs include unlimited data downloads in the UK, these figures don't apply abroad. 

According to research from Which? users can pay up to £8 per each megabyte downloaded. That's the equivalent of just one e-mail and photo. And a 10 minute video clip and 5 music tracks could cost as much as £200.

From the beginning of July, the download limit will be capped to £45 a month in the EU but until then it's purely down to consumers to sort their download limit out with their own operator. 

Which? are now calling for the EU data rules to spread to the rest of the world but the GSM disagrees. 

"Europe is a very unique market. We would not advocate copycat regulation for other territories," said a GSM spokesman. 

Many users are currently unaware of their downloading capabilities. Using Google Maps or receiving an e-mail means you're downloading data, while many smartphones start to roam the internet whenever they are switched on.

Anyone travelling abroad should speak to their mobile operator beforehand to sort out their own data limits or risk being hit by a hefty fine!