Beware of Unexpected Mobile Data Roaming Charges when Travelling Abroad


The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today (14 December 2017) reminded consumers to be cautious about the use of mobile data roaming services while travelling abroad during the forthcoming festive season so as to avoid mobile bill shock, i.e. unexpectedly high mobile data roaming charges.

“Smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are essentials for most consumers when they travel outside Hong Kong nowadays. Irrespective of the types of mobile devices they use, consumers are reminded that when accessing mobile data service outside Hong Kong, they would incur mobile data roaming charges which could be a lot more expensive than local mobile data charges. In addition, downloading of large files/video clips, video streaming, access to mobile online games or automatic update of applications (apps) may consume unexpectedly large volume of mobile data and result in a hefty bill,” a spokesperson for OFCA said.

For their peace of mind when travelling abroad, OFCA advises consumers to consider adopting the following measures to avoid mobile bill shock:

If mobile data roaming service is not required, consumers may:

If mobile data roaming service is required, consumers may:

“In some circumstances, such as upon arrival at the destinations, consumers may receive notifications generated by individual mobile apps, or greetings and promotional messages from the destination roaming operator or the home network operator, some of which may provide instructions that guide the consumers to select their suggested services. Consumers should be alert before responding to such instructions or click the hyperlinks provided, as mobile data connection may be activated upon such act, and high data roaming charges may be incurred as a result,” the spokesperson added.

Additional consumer alerts on smart use of mobile data roaming services and data roaming day pass can be accessed via the following links:

http://www.ofca.gov.hk/en/consumer _focus/guide/general/unexpected/index.html

http://www.ofca.gov.hk/en/consumer_focus /guide/general/smart_use/index.html

Office of the Communications Authority
14 December 2017