Most Brits are 'mobile-phobic' Abroad

Published on: 8th Mar 2013

­New research from British Telecom (BT) reveals that 93 percent of Brits develop "mobile-phobia' when abroad, significantly reducing their normal mobile phone use. The reason for more than three quarters (79%) is that they are afraid to use their mobile because they are worried about expensive charges or are completely in the dark about how much it will cost.

Nearly two thirds (62%) of Brits go "cold turkey" and use mobile phones sparingly or not at all. A further fifth (20%) do not even dare to risk it, leaving their mobiles at home when travelling abroad.

Those people who do take their phone abroad are very selective about answering calls and replying to texts. More than half (57%) say they only answer calls which cannot wait until they get home and two thirds (63%) only reply to important texts. Almost a quarter (23%), never answer a call on their mobile when they are abroad and 18 percent never reply to a text.

Despite this change in behaviour, the majority (58%) of Brits abroad, still want to check in with friends and family back home, but most use text or email (62%) instead of calling (25%). Only six percent feel comfortable using their mobile to make calls every day whilst abroad.

If cost were not an issue, the number of people who would choose to call home would double, whilst the number who would text or email would fall by a third.

 

Tags: [british telecom]  [UK]