47% of travellers do not use mobile internet whilst they are travelling, according to the European 
Commission.
A recent survey of 28,000 people by the European governing body found that nearly half of smartphone owners avoid using the internet on their mobile whilst travelling. More than a quarter of European visitors even turn off their phones to dodge excessive roaming charges.
Researchers claim the surprising figures are due to fears of incurring high charges, but European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes says the madness needs to stop.
“It shows we need to finish the job and eliminate roaming charges,” she said. “It’s not just a fight between holiday-makers and telecoms companies. Consumers are limiting their phones in extreme ways, and this makes no sense for companies either.”
Bad for business
The European Commission claims that this type of consumer behaviour has a negative impact on businesses, with 94% of the respondents avoiding Facebook and Twitter in a bid to lower charges. Businesses such as the mobile gaming and gambling sector could also be missing out, as 37% of travellers from Britain specifically turn their phones off completely when abroad. Even the network providers themselves are missing out on potential revenue by making their charges so high, according to the report.
The clamp down on roaming charges has picked up speed in the past year, with the Commission planning on having the additional fees to be completely scrapped by 2016. However, before then the cost for receiving calls when abroad should be eliminated by this summer.
