Andrew Alty, a small business owner from Manchester, was confronted with a shockingly high roaming bill of £42,000 after his daughter used mobile data while the family vacationed in Marrakech. Initially, he received a bill for £22,000, which he presumed was a mistake. Despite his attempts to contact his network provider, O2, while still away, he was unable to resolve the situation and assumed that a glitch had occurred or that his account had been hacked. Upon returning home, he was hit with an additional bill for £20,000, revealing the true extent of the charges.

The roaming fees have left Alty in a precarious financial position, nearly bankrupting his curtains business. This incident highlights a significant issue with mobile roaming charges, especially for consumers unaware of the policies regarding data usage outside of Europe. Alty had taken out a phone contract through his business, and the agreement included a staggering clause that left data roaming charges uncapped when used outside of the UK.

This case raises critical questions about the transparency and fairness of roaming charges imposed by mobile networks, particularly for business contracts. It underscores the need for clearer communication from providers regarding potential costs and the dangers of roaming internationally, especially in locations where mobile connectivity is expensive. Alty’s story serves as a cautionary tale for travelers and highlights the importance of understanding contract terms before taking devices abroad.