Reluctant to roam? Almost half of Brits have never used their phone abroad

• Unexpected roaming charges could be holding back holidays, as almost half (47%) of Brits confess they have never used their phone abroad[1]

• Brits aged 55+ are the least likely to use a mobile on holiday[2], missing out on conveniences such as easily finding a restaurant, booking a taxi and using online maps

• Last year British travellers were hit with £539 million in unexpected roaming charges[3], as some networks charge as much as £9 per MB of mobile data[4]

• Uswitch encourages travellers to check if their phones are eSIM compatible, as 57% are at risk of missing out[5] on this holiday saving mobile ‘hack’

Unexpected roaming charges may be putting travellers off using their mobiles on holiday as almost half (47%) of Brits say they have never used their phone abroad[1], according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service. 

Brits aged 55 and over seem the most nervous to use their mobile phone on holiday, with 62% saying they never have[2], leading them to miss out on all the benefits - from using maps to get around and staying in touch with friends to finding a restaurant or booking a taxi. 

It’s not just older travellers who are reluctant to roam, as over a quarter (26%) aged 18-34 admit they don’t use their mobile abroad[6] - with one third (33%) preferring to use their mobile either on flight mode or with Wi-Fi only when travelling[7]. 

Given British travellers were hit with £539 million[3] in unexpected roaming charges in 2023, the hesitation to use a mobile abroad seems unsurprising. Some networks charge as much as £9 per MB of mobile data (the equivalent to streaming on the Netflix app for around 14.4 seconds), showing just how high the cost of roaming can be[4]. 

Natalie Mitchell, 33, a recruiter from Colliers Wood, found out the hard way when she answered a short phone call from her employer while holidaying in Dubai, costing her £50. She said, “The phone call was actually to tell me they were making cuts and that I had lost my job - not the best news to hear while on holiday. And to make matters worse, being charged £50 in roaming costs for the privilege of losing my regular income left me raging!” 

Roaming charges are clearly high on travellers’ minds, with almost half (46%) checking their roaming options at a destination before they book a flight[8]. Those who do choose to use their phone abroad will either use their home network’s roaming options (28%)[9] or use their phone on flight-mode without connecting to a network (24%).[10]

To help make using your phone on holiday easier, Uswitch.com has launched travel eSIMs. These ‘embedded SIMs’, can be ordered online and set up before a trip, removing the need for a physical SIM card and helping customers beat roaming charges by connecting to a local network at their destination. 

Uswitch is the first major UK comparison website to offer customers a variety of eSIM options[1], making using their phones whilst on holiday easier and more affordable.

While more than half of Brits (57%) admit they don’t know whether their smartphone is eSIM-compatible[5], Uswitch has offered a simple five-step guide to adding an eSIM to your phone.

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com comments: “It’s clear that roaming confusion is preventing Brits from making the most of their holidays, with so many anxious about using their phone while abroad. 

“After years of campaigning for better roaming protections for consumers - it’s brilliant to be able to offer a solution at Uswitch that can give consumers peace of mind. 

“Avoiding traditional ‘roaming’ methods can save travellers from the return of bill shock, and eSIMs are a simple hack that can offer flexibility, savings and ease for holidaymakers all over the world. 

“Check if your phone is compatible before you go, and check in with older family members about different options to use their phone before a family holiday to ensure they aren’t left without a connection because they are too worried about being overcharged.”

How to add an eSIM to your phone:

You can purchase an eSIM in the way you would purchase a physical card, with the only difference being you will receive a QR code or activation code and so don’t need to wait for a physical card to arrive in the post. 

For iPhone users:

1. Go to phone settings and select “Mobile data”

2. Once here, select “Add eSIM” 

3. Then you will be given two options, to transfer from another device, or to scan the QR code you have been sent 

4. Scan the QR code you have received or select the device you are transferring from

5. Once this is complete, select the eSIM you have added and toggle “Primary network”

For Android users:

1. Once you have purchased your eSIM and received your QR or activation code, go to phone settings and select “Connections”

2. When you have done this, select “SIM card manager”

3. Tap “add mobile plan” and “other ways to add plans”

4. Scan the QR code you have received

Check out the latest eSIM deals at Uswitch.com