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Question

Roaming Turkey charges really high!

  • August 17, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 18 views

Hi, I recently was just about to disembark from a flight to Turkey when I turned off my airplane mode. Within 1 minute I had two texts from IDMobile saying I was at 80% data allowance then almost instantly 100%. I was charged £45 before I even got off the phone! Nothing downloaded! ID have said to wait to see my bill so they can check it. 

2 replies

Owethu M
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • August 19, 2026

Hi ​@Graeme1983

 

Thank you for reaching out, and I'm sorry to hear about the unexpected £45 roaming charge. I completely understand why this would be concerning, particularly as you had only just switched off Airplane Mode and hadn't intentionally downloaded or streamed anything.

 

When Airplane Mode is switched off, your handset can automatically reconnect to a roaming network and background data can be used even when you're not actively using the phone. This can include apps synchronising, checking for updates, receiving notifications or other background activity.

 

The applicable roaming rates for Turkey are:

  • Calls to UK: £2.40 per minute
  • Calls to Turkey: £2.40 per minute
  • Calls received: £2.40 per minute
  • Texts to Turkey: £0.60 per message
  • Texts to UK: £0.60 per message
  • MMS: £0.60 per message
  • Internet and data: £1.50 per MB

 

Data is charged in 1KB increments, with any part of a KB rounded up to the nearest KB.

 

The 80% and 100% notifications are triggered as your roaming data usage reaches the relevant stages of your £45 Bill Cap. Because the data can be used very quickly once the handset reconnects to a chargeable roaming network, the notifications can be received very shortly after the chargeable usage begins.

 

To help prevent this happening again, we'd strongly recommend setting your Bill Cap to £0 before travelling outside your inclusive roaming destinations. You should also keep Airplane Mode enabled until you're ready to use mobile services after landing.

 

Once your bill has been generated, we'll be able to review the exact roaming usage and charges applied to your account.

 

Owethu


  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • August 20, 2026

Disgrace.