Optus will start automatically activating global roaming so that customers will need to opt out if they don't want to be stung with bill shock when travelling overseas from 24 March.
Customers who are currently overseas, have previously received a high roaming bill or who have turned off roaming since September 2013 won't have their roaming automatically turned on, but others on post-paid plans will.
An Optus spokesperson told CHOICE that while roaming can be activated once someone is overseas, it's more convenient to do it before you leave.
Currently, to activate global roaming, customers can do so via phone, SMS, online or through Optus' app if in Australia. If activating from overseas, with the exception of the app, the process is much the same, except Optus will charge international roaming rates (unless the user is doing it over Wi-Fi).
Global roaming prices vary depending on what option you choose but the pay as you go option can be expensive. For example, to make or receive calls in the United States costs $1 a minute. Alternatively, you can purchase a $10 a day Travel Pack which provides unlimited text and calls and 50MB of data.
Customers were advised of the changes via a text message which read:
"To help you stay connected when travelling, we'll be activating Optus International Roaming on your account from 24/03/15. There's no charge unless you choose to use your phone overseas to make or receive calls, text or MMS or access the internet".
The text message also provided a link on how to deactivate global roaming.
What CHOICE thinks
CHOICE thinks global roaming should be offered on an opt-in rather than an opt-out basis. It's unhelpful for Optus to ask its customers to opt out of a service that it's signed you up for.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) takes a similar view, pointing out that consumers can easily be stung by global roaming charges under an opt-out policy.
"If a consumer travels overseas and forgets that global roaming is switched on, apps running in the background on their smartphone or sending push notifications can easily use up data which will see consumers coming home to extra charges from their telco," said an ACCAN spokesperson.
While an opt-out policy may suit frequent travellers who need to use their phone while travelling overseas, for the every day consumer going on an overseas trip it could see them rack up unwanted global roaming charges, the ACCAN spokesperson said.
What about the other telcos?
Global roaming activation for Telstra post-paid customers is not automatic, so if they want to use roaming overseas, it needs to be activated either before leaving or on arrival. Vodafone does however have global roaming activation as a default. It started switching its $5 a day roaming functionality on automatically for any customer who signed up for a contract post July 2013.
What are the regulations?
Telcos must send you an SMS outlining usage costs within 10 minutes of turning on your device overseas, as well as giving you instructions on how to turn off roaming.
However, there's no specific rule that stops telcos from making global roaming an opt-out service rather than an opt-in. We suggest heading to the Optus website to opt out of roaming: there are much cheaper services such as roaming data packs, pre-paid global roaming SIM cards, buying a local SIM card and/or free Wi-Fi hotspots if you want to use your phone when travelling.
