Unexpected Cell Phone Data Roaming Charges

We all know cell phones are used for more than just talking.

They’re an MP3 player, TV, computer and phone, rolled into one.

In Alberta, the cost of those features are covered in your monthly service plan, however once you leave Canada, it’s a free for all.

Unfortunately not everyone knows that.

Yury Efimenko and his family drove to Arizona and back for holiday in January.

It was a long trip and at one point their son used his cell phone to watch some TV in the car.

Denis only watched for 20 minutes before his battery died but didn’t know it was costing 10 dollars a megabyte to download the video.

The next Telus bill had a charge for $228.

“On the internet it says watch anytime, anywhere. it is unlimited. what we didn’t understand, it would have been unlimited in Calgary, probably in canada, but there are limits if you go beyond the border, if you go to the States.”

He knew there would be roaming charges to keep their cell phones on and make calls but nothing in the User Guide said it included Mobile TV.

This is a new feature for Telus and when they complained, the company discovered they hadn’t explained or outlined the Mobile TV roaming charges clearly enough.

“When we looked at the information, we realized it could use some clarification and so we have taken that step and edited the information to ensure that clients have a clearer understanding of what those U.S. data roaming charges are”, says Cecily Dobson with Telus Mobility.

Now when you review the explanation of data roaming charges on the Telus web site, you’ll find Mobile TV added to the list.

Telus has also reversed the charges on Yury Efimenkos’ bill.

While he’s happy about that, he just wanted to warn other people in his situation to be careful.

Those U.S. roaming fees are also charged for mobile radio, wireless internet, sending email and downloading ringtones, video, audio and video games.

So parents heading off on spring break or summer vacation might have to watch their teens cell phone habits a little closer.