3 has already abolished roaming charges on sister networks

Cuts in European roaming call charges have come too late for the 18 million UK holidaymakers heading to Europe this Summer.

Despite final approval from the Telecoms Council today, the regulation will have little impact on the £230 million in roaming charges added to holidaymakers’ phone bills over the next three months.

However, whilst most consumers will now have to wait until late August to benefit from reduced call rates, 3 customers can already make immediate savings on their mobile bills in five European countries.

3 Like Home has already reduced roaming charges by allowing customers to use their existing talk and text bundles and abolishing costs for receiving calls, slashing mobile bills for holidaymakers visiting the following countries with 3 sister networks:

Italy
Ireland
Austria
Sweden
Denmark

3 Like Home automatically ensures customers can make and receive calls, send texts and even surf the internet for the same price as at home. 3’s UK customers have made more than twice as many calls from 3 Like Home countries since the service was introduced in January.

John Penberthy-Smith, marketing director at 3, commented: “We believe that using your phone when you are abroad should be like using it when you’re at home – 3 Like Home is making a difference to the market and its success proves that our customers agree.”

3 Like Home also automatically applies to customers roaming on 3 networks in Australia and Hong Kong.