Today is the big day that roaming charges disappear in Europe – it only took ten years; before even smart phones existed – but the day has finally come.

In other words, if you have to go back to the UK or vice versa, if you’re a Brit, then a call will have no extra charge attached and neither will internet data.

However, some consumer associations have claimed that the mobile telephone companies have sneakily increased their rates in recent months to cover their losses, something that Orange, amongst other operators deny.

For example, the Spanish consumer association, Facua-Consumidores en Acción explained that big operators “have been increasing their prices for months, for example, the call-initiation fee, as well as internet and packages that include (voice, data & TV).

They also point out that this has been carried out whilst the EU and national government turned a blind eye. Brussels, however, claims that it has not detected anything of the kind happening.

Well, even if you’re not actually saving any money on your yearly phone costs, at least you can use your phone abroad without cringing or, as I do, turn the bloody thing off or use WhatsApp connected to somebody’s ADSL.

Consumer protection associations warn us to be on our guard, especially if you’re using a pre-paid chip!

(News: Spain)