How to avoid huge bills on your return

As a reminder to readers, it is worth noting the steps you can take if you are planning to use your iPhone abroad. The iPhone can be used when away and, with a few simple steps, it does not have to mean you return to a huge bill.

First a few basic rules:

1/ if you are going to make calls when abroad, check the charges before you go. Your inclusive minutes with O2 or Vodafone are not going to cover these calls. For instance, Vodafone charge over 1 euro per minutes for calls in the US- and this is for both making AND receiving calls. Know the facts before you go.
2/ set your email to connect “manually” rather than automatically. On the iPhone, go to Settings -> Fetch New Data -> and set this to “manually”.
3/ Data- oh data! Make sure you turn off your data roaming off on the iPhone when abroad. Check it here on your iPhone:
Settings -> General -> Network -> Data Roaming.... set to OFF. Turning off data roaming means it will only work on your own local network at home (people who have unlocked an iPhone beware- read on and do the next part...).
In the same Network section, go into the Cellular Data Network section and remove the 3 settings. You should note these down as you will need to enter them again when you get home. With Data Roaming set to off, and with those settings deleted, your phone will not be able to connect to a mobile carrier when abroad.
4/ Hang on, how do I get my emails then...? Well here is the best way. If you turn off data roaming, it means that you can’t connect to a mobile carrier for data, but you CAN use WiFi. If you are in a hotel with free WiFi, and if you connect your iPhone to their signal, all internet connection and data will be free.

So a few basic rules:
1/ turn off data roaming when abroad
2/ use a free wifi network in a hotel or cafe to pick up messages
3/ if you MUST get your emails when abroad and can’t get access t WiFi, you should call O2 and ask for the prices, and you could turn data roaming on for a few minutes, pick up messages and tun it off again! But accept the consequences when it comes to your bill.

Just remember, the iPhone lets you use email and internet throughout the world, but Apple aren’t the ones charging you. Make sure you check with your carrier, O2, Vodafone etc, and be aware of what your iPhone is set to do. Roaming data is different to data at home, so don’t get caught out.

Simon Spence/2008