Death of the Guidebook: Brits abroad ditch paper maps for mobile apps

• As using phones abroad becomes cheaper, mobiles are becoming our go-to guide to foreign destinations
• But roaming confusion still reigns with more than three out of five Brits unsure about where they can 'roam like home'

Brits travelling abroad are increasingly lightening their luggage load by replacing their travel guidebooks with their mobile phones, new research by Carphone Warehouse revealed today. The study also shows that printed boarding passes and complicated fold-out paper maps may soon be for the chopping block thanks to our increasing confidence in using our phones abroad.

The research, carried out on behalf of the UK's largest independent mobile phone retailer to mark the launch of itsinteractive roaming map, shows that as a nation we're replacing more and more traditional holiday staples with our phones. Traditional cameras have already seen their influence wane, with more than 50% of respondents surveyed stating that their phone is their go-to photography tool on holiday, while 45% eschew printed maps for guided directions on their mobiles.

But it's the rise of apps, review sites and reduced roaming charges that are behind the latest changes to our travel habits, with more than one in five of us now flashing our phones at airports instead of fishing out printed boarding cards. And once they arrive abroad, more than 30% are turning to their phones as the primary source of researching things to do on sites like TripAdvisor, as well as using their phone to place bookings at hotels and restaurants.

Carphone Warehouse's research shows that it's not all sun, sea, sand and simplicity when we're using our phones abroad. 68% of those surveyed feel they do not fully understand the roaming legislation or how it affects their network, despite mobile networks being obligated to contact their customers and explain the new charges.

'As a nation we're relying more and more on our mobile phones abroad, replacing traditional travel tools like maps, boarding passes and travel guides,' said Dean Kramer, Marketing Director for Carphone Warehouse. 'So it's more important than ever that customers are given full information on how much using their phone costs when travelling. We're proud to continue to provide honest, impartial advice - like our new roaming map - and we call on all mobile networks to do their upmost to spread the word.'

To help make roaming in Europe easier than ever, Carphone Warehouse has created a network roaming map athttp://lowdown.carphonewarehouse.com/roaming-map/to help confused Brits see where their mobile provider lets them 'roam like home' and highlight the different destinations each network covers.

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For more information, please visitwww.carphonewarehouse.co.uk

Notes to editors

The survey of 1,000 UK adults who own a smartphone and go on holiday abroad was carried out by OnePoll between 21 and 24 July.

For press enquiries, please contact:carphonewarehouse@mcsaatchi.com

About Dixons Carphone

Dixons Carphone plc is Europe's leading specialist electrical and telecommunications retailer and services company, employing over 41,000 people in nine countries. Focused on helping customers navigate the connected world, Dixons Carphone offers a comprehensive range of electrical and mobile products, connectivity and expert after-sales services from the Geek Squad and Team Knowhow.

Dixons Carphone's primary brands include Carphone Warehouse and CurrysPCWorld in the UK & Ireland, Elkjøp, Elkjøp Phonehouse, Elgiganten, Elgiganten Phone House, Gigantti and Lefdal in the Nordic countries, Kotsovolos in Greece, Dixons Travel in a number of UK airports as well as Dublin and Oslo. Our key service brands include Team Knowhow in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, and Geek Squad in the UK & Ireland.

Business-to-business (B2B) services are provided through Connected World Services, CurrysPCWorld Business and Carphone Warehouse Business. Connected World Services aims to leverage the Group's existing expertise, operating processes and technology to provide a range of services to businesses.