[Louiseamanda]

Hello

Can anyone help explain my 1010 bill ('global roaming section) ?

1010 were unable to explain it to me.

Last 2 holidays (NZ then Malaysia) I have had multiple entries (every 10 minutes at charge 0.24 HKD each) for the whole period I was away.

There are 0 mins of calls listed, and I dont use the phone for email or anything other than the odd text or call.

The NZ bill cost an extra HKD 600 on top of my normal bill, the malaysia weekend (6 pages of 10-min entries) cost HKD 93.

I don't know what this represents and 1010 couldnt explain, other than to ask if I used internet , which I dont and some other type of ? text service needing a password (never used)
The bill says 'some Overseas Roaming Service Providers will spilt a long duration call into several billing records'.
But my bill does not record any call or text made, anyway. It says 0 mins so it appears to be charging for the connection eg Malaysia to hkcsl.
My partners bill is not like this, however (also with 1010)

Can anyone explain it. I think I will have to leave my phone switched off, when I go for a break, but thats not really convenient.
It is as if, I am activating a service, as soon as I switch on my phone, when I arrive and paying about x HKD a day, just to have my phone switched on?


Thanks for any input
LA

[KnowItAll]

Sounds very fishy .. can you tell us what phone you use?

Do you have a data plan with CSL? Do you run email which might be checking with the server?

I have never been charged at such frequency... only time I get charged is when I make a call / check email / send an SMS message.

[Sleuth]

Now I'm nervous. 3 swore that if my wife made a call to the US from the US there would be no roaming charges. Ditto if she called from the US to HK or PRC.
I could be in for a big bill soon.

[PDLM]

Well it depends what you mean by "roaming charges" Outbound calls when roaming tend to be at "rack rate" for the network you are roaming on which is often dramatically higher than what locals would pay for the same call in reality.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

Now I'm nervous. 3 swore that if my wife made a call to the US from the US there would be no roaming charges. Ditto if she called from the US to HK or PRC.
I could be in for a big bill soon.

For 3 IF YOU PHONE THE SPECIAL NUMBER - you get calls at HK local rates ( US to HK ). When you log on to the US network they send you a text with the info.

[Louiseamanda]

Thanks all.

My normal bill is cheap (about HKD 200)
So this was a shock on my bill after the 2w holiday in NZ.

Looking at the bill (NZ holiday one in April ) there are 3 sections:-

1 Monthly package charges (includes 800 basic minutes)
HK$ 138

2 Call charges
'Thereafter local calls' 0.00
'Global Roaming Charges' 604.73

3 Other Service Charges
ISMS Package Advanced Charge 19.00
SMS/Download (internetwork) Chg 9.00
Roam-International SMS 76.00
MTR/Tunnels/Mobile License fee 12.00

Total:- $858.73


The 76.00 (Roam-International SMS) I did opt for, so I can send texts to friends/family in UK. That is ok.
But the Global Roaming Charges, which are listed(on both my holiday bills) every 10mins for Malaysia bill, and every FEW minutes on this bill like this:-

Global Roaming Location New Zealand-Vodafone

Date Time Fet Origin Dest Number/vol Min $

31/3 22.59 G NZ hkcsl 1KB 0.0 0.14
31/3 23.02 G NZ hkcsl 1KB 0.0 0.14
31/3 23.13 G NZ hkcsl 1KB 0.0 0.14
31/3 23.29 G NZ hkcsl 1KB 0.0 0.44
31/3 23.37 G NZ hkcsl 1KB 0.0 0.29

listing up til 11/4 like this, (16 pages)
The last entry is a 'recognisable call'
11/4 11.43 HK NZ *Incoming* 0.4 4.05


On my subsequent bill, (we were still in NZ til 14/4) the isting continues (another 7 pages) cosying me another $267-53.

As I say, I don't look at websites and don't use my phone for email or for anything but a call, or text!

When I queried it with 1010, they said they wd check with the NZ Vodafone, it would take 2w and they would call me. Of course they didnt call me, but when I called back they couldn't offer any explanation.

Could it be that you have to pick a certain network when abroad and not another network (when the screen comes up to choose network)?
1010 didn't say this tho, which would be basic adbvice.

Thanks all
LA

Knowitall, I have a Sony Ericsson (not sure which model number) No I don't use my phone for email.

[discobay]

Does you voice mail service automatically ring you when someone has left a message?

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by Boris

For 3 IF YOU PHONE THE SPECIAL NUMBER - you get calls at HK local rates ( US to HK ). When you log on to the US network they send you a text with the info.

I don't recall 3 parting with that information. Not good.

[Louiseamanda]

Hi Discobay

re voicemail - my phone sends me a text when someone leaves a voicemail.

Whilst I was abroad no-one had left me a message though (or called me ) apart from one call, my phone was quiet.

[KnowItAll]

If it says 1KB on the bill next to the charge, your phone has something on it which is making a data connection to a server every 10 mins. Are you SURE you don't have some email program or special software like an RSS reader / podcasting thing running on your phone???