Downloading one TV show abroad could cost more than your whole holiday

Wednesday 01 July 2009   |  Comment  |  

Downloading one television show via mobile broadband while abroad on holiday could cost more than the rest of the trip combined. As the summer holidays get into full swing, Broadband Genie is keen to remind travellers the cost of using mobile broadband dongles abroad can be incredibly expensive.
 
Many family holidays cost under £2,000 – less than the cost of downloading an episode of your favourite crime drama or sitcom outside of the EU. The stark reality is some mobile broadband habits you have at home equate to bank breakers once you leave the country.
 
From July 1, the wholesale cost of data in the EU (ie, what suppliers pay each other) was capped at 1 euro per MB by the European Commission. UK mobile broadband providers 3, T-Mobile and Vodafone have all reduced prices to £1.50 per MB or less for EU roaming. However, this is still much more expensive than UK data roaming, while non-EU roaming can still cost more than £6 per MB.
 
A single TV episode can be 200MB to 550MB, depending on quality. A film will be anywhere from 700MB to more than 1.5GB. At £6 per MB, that must-see episode of The Wire (at, say, 350MB) could set you back more than £2,000, while a DVD quality film could be a staggering £9,000. Even at Vodafone's market-leading rate of £9.99 for 50MB in the EU, a 350MB show would cost £70 – customers on 3 or T-Mobile would be looking at an EU bill around £500.
 
At £6 per MB, per episode: 
Eastenders (200MB) £1,200; CSI (350MB) £2,000; Dexter in HD (550MB) £3,300.
 
 
Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: “The most popular television services such as the BBC iPlayer and Sky Player only work in the UK, but there are many ways to download shows and films online.
 
“If you feel you have to take a UK mobile broadband dongle on holiday, make sure everyone understands it's for basic browsing only. Otherwise, you could be in for a nasty surprise on your return.”

For all you need to know about broadband roaming abroad, visit our international broadband guide.

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