O2 introduces free roaming in the US, Australia with new Refresh tariffs

o2 logo UK mobile network O2 has announced that select customers will soon enjoy the benefits of free roaming in an additional 27 international destinations. The new additions – including the USA, Mexico, and Australia – take the total number of free roaming locations up to 75.

The move represents O2’s first major extension of its free roaming proposition into non-EU countries, and it’s hard to not see it as the Telefonica-owned carrier’s response to the popularity of Three’s Feel at Home scheme.

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Of all the current networks, O2 has changed the most. The network as it exists now was “born” in 2002, but its history dates as far back as 1985. Prior to being known as O2, the …

Three’s rival offering currently boasts four fewer destinations in total, but doesn’t cap your usual allowances even if you’re abroad. O2, meanwhile, restricts travelers to 120 minutes and 120 texts per day, although it doesn’t apply a cap to international data usage.

The increased free roaming coverage will be available to customers on select O2 Refresh tariffs and other eligible contract deals. This includes the newly announced flexible contract deals which give consumers the option of raising or lowering their allowances (and bills) each month between 1GB and 50GB plans.

UK networks are currently required under EU law to offer free roaming in EU locations. With Brexit on the horizon, however, there are growing concerns that carriers will reinstate roaming fees once the UK officially leaves the EU.