There’s good news for some O2 customers with the UK network confirming a useful free upgrade this week. It’s been announced that iPhone and Android users will get totally free data roaming when heading to the USA. The bonus has been added to help fans heading to see England in the World Cup, with users able to access the internet from their phones without having to buy an eSIM or add any extras to their account.

It’s a nice offer from O2, as getting data in the USA can be hugely expensive – some networks charge as much as £6 per day.

So who gets this boost?

O2 says that customers on a pay monthly Classic Plan simply need to log into their MyO2 account and activate the O2 Travel Bolt On (£7 per day) or buy a data bolt-on (1GB, 3GB or 5GB), and O2 will automatically credit back the cost of the bolt-on from 6th July – 20th July 2026.

The gesture builds on O2’s position in offering inclusive EU roaming as standard across all plans, and the operator’s commitment to keeping its customers connected at all times.

Speaking about the boost, Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2 said: “Whether travelling in Europe or heading across the Pond, we’re now giving our customers one less thing to worry about this summer by crediting back roaming charges in the USA for the remainder of the tournament.

“From cheering their team on from the stands or sharing the excitement with friends and family back home, our customers can focus on the scoreline, not roaming charges, with the freedom, connectivity and confidence to make every moment count.”

Cost of roaming in the US from other networks.

EE charges £6 per day to access data when in the USA, or there’s the option to buy a 7-day pass for £30.

Vodafone’s USA roaming pricing also starts at £6 per day, whilst Three’s pricing is £5.

Those opting for eSIMs from firms such as Airola can grab data from as little as £3.50, although that low price is only for 3 days of access and is limited to 1GB.