Holidaymakers in the EU and other European countries will from today be able to use their mobile phone without being hit by unexpected bills for roaming charges.
Under new legislation, travellers can now use their normal allowance of free calls, texts and data anywhere in the bloc at no extra cost.
Providers' plans generally include more than 40 destinations, including all of the 28 EU countries, European Free Trade Area countries Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland and most of the overseas territories of these countries.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
"So-called 'bill shock' from holidaying in the EU affected more than nine million UK mobile users a year," says the Daily Telegraph.
However, consumer group Which? says Britons abroad could still pay extra costs despite the legislation.
"It is important that you take a close look at what is or isn't included in your current mobile deal," the organisation's Alex Neill warned.
"Not knowing what's included in your tariff could lead to some surprising charges on your next bill."
However, it remains unclear if Brexit will reverse this "hard-won victory" for consumers, says The Guardian.
"Legally, there would be nothing to stop the networks reintroducing roaming fees once the UK leaves the EU," the newspaper's Miles Brignell reports.
"Politically, though, they might struggle to bring back charges under a government keen to be seen to be making Brexit a success."
