Mobile phone customers should think twice before calling home when abroad as providers list high roaming call charges, according to a price comparison site.

Moneysupermarket.com reveals charges for calling abroad vary from provider to provider ranging from T-Mobile planning to offer 55p a minute compared with operator O2 which charges 85p a minute.

O2 contract customers are even worse off with prices rising to 94p a minute, three times as much per minute compared with the rates on Orange and network provider 3.

As charges for receiving calls while abroad also vary, texting may be the preferred method of contact - texts cost 25p for O2 or 3 customers and 35p plus standard UK charge for Vodafone customers.

"The high cost of making and receiving mobile calls whilst abroad may mean customers are reluctant to use their phone," said Robert Kenley from moneysupermarket.com.

"The move by the EC to clamp down on roaming charges is well overdue, yet it remains to be seen whether operators will increase domestic charges to make up for slashing prices else where."

Consumers hoping to avoid the high costs can buy an overseas SIM card before leaving the UK which can be used in place of a UK SIM whilst abroad

A global SIM card from Go SIM costs £34.95 with charges for an international call to the UK costing 27p per minute plus 17p per connected call.