Taking my Sim only plan abroad

[Kavery_Beliappa]

I’m stranded in India due to COVID-related travel restrictions.  I don’t need to use my UK phone/plan whilst in India, but am  keeping it for  emergency purposes whilst here. As my expensive Sim only 2018  plan is just out of commitment, I would now like to  switch to the most basic Red 1 GB Plan . When I am back in the UK  in around 4 months, I could add one of Vodafone’s Data Extras as a one-off for a few months, and later  opt out  of the Data Extra again if I find I’m using less data, or if I decide to travel abroad again.  

I believe that where a customer’s usage abroad is greater than in the UK  over a four month period,  a regulated surcharge is applied to further usage even when I return to the UK .  I will be making a lot of calls and using a lot of data in the UK ,  unlike however when I travel abroad  again . Given what I have described,  does a switch now into a basic Red 1 GB Plan whilst abroad,  and then adding a Data Extra and perhaps bearing a surcharge on usage when I return to the UK,  make sense  ? 

[Kavery_Beliappa]

I’m stranded in India due to COVID-related travel restrictions.  I don’t need to use my UK phone/plan whilst in India, but am  keeping it for  emergency purposes whilst here. As my expensive Sim only 2018  plan is just out of commitment, I would now like to  switch to the most basic Red 1 GB Plan . When I am back in the UK  in around 4 months, I could add one of Vodafone’s Data Extras as a one-off for a few months, and later  opt out  of the Data Extra again if I find I’m using less data, or if I decide to travel abroad again.  

I believe that where a customer’s usage abroad is greater than in the UK  over a four month period,  a regulated surcharge is applied to further usage even when I return to the UK .  I will be making a lot of calls and using a lot of data in the UK ,  unlike however when I travel abroad  again . Given what I have described,  does a switch now into a basic Red 1 GB Plan whilst abroad,  and then adding a Data Extra and perhaps bearing a surcharge on usage when I return to the UK,  make sense  ?

[AnnS]

Hi @Kavery_Beliappa 

Vodafone are very sympathetic to customer stranded abroad due to Covid 19. However, there is still the 4 month permanent roaming T & C's to consider.  As you are stuck abroad due to Covid 19,  perhaps clarify with Vodafone through social channels here: Contact Us 

India is also a roam further destination and you are likely to be charged £6.00 per day on the days you use your phone and that is going to take you well over the credit limit allowed by Vodafone and be very expensive and you may also find your service suspended due to the high charges.

Until you return to the UK it would be best to upgrade to a 30 day contract here: SIM only you should be able to move to a new SIM only when you return to the UK.  However, the contract you are on now will roll over onto 30 day.

If your phone is unlocked, it would also be worth taking a look at Vodafone India, even if this was PAYG, it would keep you going until you are able to return.

[Kavery_Beliappa]

Hi Ann,

Thanks for your reply.

What are the 4 month permanent roaming T & C's I should consider ?

As my expensive Sim only 2018  plan is just out of commitment, I want to  switch to the basic Red 1 GB  Sim only plan whilst I am in India, and  don’t think switching to a new Sim plan can only be done when I return to the UK .

Whilst abroad , I intend to use my phone/plan for  emergency purposes  only and not for regular usage, which should not be expensive.

When I am back in the UK  in around 4 months, [ a 30 day contract will not suit] , I could add one of Vodafone’s Data Extras as a one-off for a few months, and later  opt out  of the Data Extra again if I decide to travel abroad again. And when I’m in the UK  I might have to bear a small surcharge on UK  usage.  But all the while I retain my basic Red 1 GB  Sim only 12 month plan.

Do you think this could work ?

[Mark]

Hey @Kavery_Beliappa As @AnnS advised using your UK plan on a daily basis whilst in one of our Roam further destinations, may prove to be expensive, especially if done over a long period, as you may incur additional charges. You can get a breakdown of these charges and more information about our fair use Ts&Cs through our Roaming FAQ's. If you need any more help with this, or anything else don't hesitate to get in touch 😊

[AnnS]

Hi @Kavery_Beliappa 

You are going to have a problem here, if you are going to be roaming for the next 4 months, Vodafone are going to start adding on additional roaming charges on top of what you are already paying, adding a 2GB data extras at £10.00 per month something which will be quickly used is also going to add additional charges.  However, there are no charge for receiving calls or texts.

If you are going to be in India for a further 4 months and the phone is unlocked you would have yourself a lot of money just by getting a local SIM card on PAYG to tide you over until you are back in the UK.

The one thing that would save you money is to ask Vodafone to transfer the number to PAYG as a temporary measure, this will take 30 days to complete and you can still use the SIM during the period and when you are back in the UK you can agree a new SIM only deal.  If you decide this is the way to go the SIM will need to be activated on the local network try and send the SIM to a relative to activate on PAYG on your behalf.

[donnyguy]

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@Kavery_Beliappa wrote:

I’m stranded in India due to COVID-related travel restrictions.  I don’t need to use my UK phone/plan whilst in India, but am  keeping it for  emergency purposes whilst here. As my expensive Sim only 2018  plan is just out of commitment, I would now like to  switch to the most basic Red 1 GB Plan . When I am back in the UK  in around 4 months, I could add one of Vodafone’s Data Extras as a one-off for a few months, and later  opt out  of the Data Extra again if I find I’m using less data, or if I decide to travel abroad again.  

I believe that where a customer’s usage abroad is greater than in the UK  over a four month period,  a regulated surcharge is applied to further usage even when I return to the UK .  I will be making a lot of calls and using a lot of data in the UK ,  unlike however when I travel abroad  again . Given what I have described,  does a switch now into a basic Red 1 GB Plan whilst abroad,  and then adding a Data Extra and perhaps bearing a surcharge on usage when I return to the UK,  make sense  ? 

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I'm reading this differently so just to clarify my understanding.

So you're in India, you've said you don't need to use your phone/plan there but want to keep it for emergencies but day to day usage, it would be used? 

The points you raise relating to roaming use usually refers to the 'free' roaming you get in the European Union rather than using the phone further afield in chargeable countries. India is £6 per day and you're not planning on using your phone.

Same point relates to the surcharge, its for people who use their phone primarily in 'free roaming' countries. It basically says their usage will be surcharged but this surcharge wouldn't apply to UK use. Again, as you're not planning on using your phone in India then it's a mute point.

So to answer your question, yes you can drop your tariff if you're out of contact just to keep your contact ticking over or you can opt for what AnnS suggested and move to PAYT if this is just about keeping your number. 

[Kavery_Beliappa]

Hi Donny .Thanks for your detailed reply.

My expensive Sim only 2018  plan is just out of commitment whilst I’m abroad presently.

What this is all about is keeping my phone number for emergency use only whilst abroad,  and switching to a new Sim only plan/ dropping my tariff  to keep my Vodafone contact ticking over whilst presently in India.

Ann had implied that switching to a new Sim plan can only be done when I return to the UK . I would now like to  switch to the current most basic Red 1 GB  12 month Plan whilst I’m in India, which should be possible isn’t it ?

Whilst abroad, I plan to use my phone/plan for emergency purposes only, and not for regular usage. So being charged GBP 6 per day is OK for emergencies .

Am I right in understanding that the regulated surcharge is applicable to further usage only in 'free roaming' countries, and wouldn't apply for use in the UK or in India [where a 6 Pound per day charge is applied ] ?

Am I also assuming correctly that the basic Red 1 GB 12 month Plan includes Global Roaming in  non EU countries, eg India with a additional charge of GBP 6 per day ?  I ask because the Roaming T& C’s mention that for customers using their inclusive roaming that is included in their monthly charge, usage  is intended for temporary, periodic travel such as holidays and short breaks. As I will return to the UK only in around 4 months, I trust this will not be a problem, particularly as I will not be using my phone abroad except for very occasional emergencies ?

And as my usage abroad [ even for extended periods ], will be only a very small fraction of my usage within the UK, I trust there will be no additional charges above the 6 Pound per day charge whilst in India ?

When I am back in the UK  in around 4 months, I could add one of Vodafone’s Data Extras as a one-off for a few months, and later  opt out  of the Data Extra again if I find I’m using less data, or if I decide to travel abroad again.

Given what I have described,  does a switch now into a basic Red 1 GB 12 month Plan whilst abroad,  and then adding a Data Extra make sense  ?  

[AnnS]

Hi @Kavery_Beliappa 

As well as paying your monthly contract charges, it's an extra £6.00 per day on top, if you are going to be using the phone on a daily basis for outgoing that comes to an extra £168.00 monthly extra charges, this is going to take you well over the credit limit allowed by Vodafone.

If it's only a case of keeping your number, the cheapest way out would be to get a local SIM card.  There is nothing stopping you from going to a cheaper tariff, the reason I suggested a 30 day contract was to give you the option of upgrading to a better tariff when you returned to the UK.

[donnyguy]

What you're saying makes perfect sense.

So what I'd do is:

• Contact Vodafone to downgrade to the plan you're looking at (the 1GB plan) 
• That'll take effect within 24 hours
• Know that if you use the phone whilst in India for anything chargeable, it'll cost you 6 GBP per day (which is a lot - especially if all you'll get is 1GB)
• The roaming surcharge doesn't apply in the UK (as you're not roaming) or in India (as you're already paying to use it) so forget about it for this scenario
• Once you're back in the UK, yes you can add a data extra (or upgrade the package if you need more data - might be more cost effective)

But yes, sounds like you've got your solution there. Enjoy India 🙂