WIFI, Data and Roaming in Europe

tommyg01

Almost a pensioner here, trying to make sense of the Vodafone PAYG data packages and when to use them. I purchased a 2GB data package when I went to Spain in June, only to find because I hadn't enabled data before I left the UK (trying to make my 2GB last as long as possible), I then couldn't turn on the data when I was in Spain. So this time around I want to do things the right way around.

If I turn the data on before I leave the UK, can I turn it on and off once in Spain, as I can also get online using a wifi signal, but it's not totally reliable or will I find once again that once I have turned the data off, it won't let me turn it back on again? Also I now have a slider button on my Vodafone app for switching roaming on or off. Do I use this with the data on or not, or just not turn roaming on at all?

I did an online chat with Vodafone, but they just repeated back to me the answers on there website, which don't answer these questions. Sorry if my post is confusing but I have never bothered with data before and only ever use wifi in the UK, so it's a whole new world to me.

TIA

Tom

MarkyPancake

I'm with Three and can use my mobile data abroad and even as if I was still in the UK in many countries.

I never leave my mobile data on in the UK and just turn it on when I need it and I do the same way when I'm not in the UK, so turn it on when I want to use it and off when I've finished using it. I have to enable roaming for mobile data to work on the foreign network when I'm not in the UK.

Greg Hook

With EE (and I presume everyone) any mobile data allowance is valid for Europe. They are not allowed anymore (thanks to one of those pesky EU laws) to charge data out of the main country.

JayCee

You need roaming switched on or you won't be able to use data outside the UK.

tommyg01

Thanks all, so it doesn't sound like Vodafone is the best with options for going abroad. That's the one piece of information I couldn't find anywhere, thanks Jaycee.

stevelup

Best thing to do on Vodafone in Spain if you're pay as you go is to just get one of the 'big value bundle' products:-

Big Value Bundles from Vodafone

scarty16

just turn on roaming and data and leave it on even when in the UK.

tommyg01

I did get the 2GB bundle but didn't turn it on until I got to Spain and it doesn't work like that, at least I know for this trip to turn it on before I leave the UK. As I am on a PAYG I have no need to use data in the UK as I always use my wifi connection if needed.

scarty16

how do you use your wifi in a car?  or walking down a road?

tommyg01

Apart from using my phone for the odd call, it's mostly used online indoors, no need for data. The data is purely a back up in Spain for when the wifi goes tits up, which happens more than in the UK.