High Speed Internet Access (HSIA): Mobile Internet

The media loves stories like the one reported in the Daily Mail, UK a few days ago about a holidaymaker who downloaded an episode of his favourite TV programme and got back from holiday to a bill of £31,500. His mobile broadband contract usually costs him about £150 a month but the combination of roaming charges and high data usage sent the charges spiralling out of control.

After some negotiation the bill was reduced to a much more reasonable $229 but the story has sparked debate about high roaming charges and the responsibilities of the mobile broadband providers to make customers aware of the implications of roaming.

3 UK has responded to the bad publicity by banning its customers from using their mobile broadband service while overseas unless they have specifically elected to opt in. Even if they opt in there will be a credit limit on those accounts.

In Australia, the communication minister, Senator Stephen Conroy has called for an enquiry into international mobile roaming charges. In his statement about the enquiry he particularly cited the problems for businesses whose employees can rack up huge bills when charged at mobile roaming rates.

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