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Ofcom, the UK communications watchdog, has offered a number of tips to travellers on how to keep down bills for overseas use of their mobile phone and internet applications.

The first thing customers should do, according to Ofcom, is carry out some preliminary checks – firstly of their phone to ensure it is fully enabled to work abroad and secondly of their tariff so they will not get any unexpectedly high bills for overseas use.

Travellers should verify whether overseas calls are included in their contract and could also look around for other packages that may offer more competitive rates for international services.

People planning to access the internet abroad should be aware that their mobile handsets or portable modems are likely to be more expensive than when they are used at home.

Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: 'Ofcom is encouraging industry to bring down the price of texts and downloading data when consumers are abroad.

'This advice will help to ensure that consumers can get the best value for money when keeping in touch and downloading data whilst abroad, and avoid unexpectedly high bills on their return.'

In January 2008, Ofcom urged the telecoms industry to reduce the cost of using mobiles and downloading data abroad, leading many providers to reduce their charges.

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