UK mobile phone carrier Three has announced that it is cutting data roaming rates for fans travelling to New Zealand to follow the Rugby World Cup. The tournament starts with The All-Blacks playing Tonga on 9 September (Friday) and the provider will be offering a price drop on data for Three customers of around 80 per cent all the way up to 31 October. The final of the Cup is scheduled for 23 October.

The new data rate will be £1.28 per MB, formerly £6 per MB for New Zealand, so allows egg chasers to tweet, email and update their Facebook pages while they're out there, without it costing the Earth.

Three’s marketing director, Thomas Malleschitz, explains the welcome move: "The cost of roaming abroad can be ferociously high, and that leaves people with the fear of bill shock.

"So, despite being on the other side of the world, by getting the data price for roaming in New Zealand down to the same rate as roaming in Europe, Three’s customers can continue to stay connected and share their experience of rugby’s biggest tournament."

England kicks off its campaign against Argentina on 10 September (Saturday). It will be broadcast live on ITV 1 (plus ITV 1 HD) at 9.30am.

Pic: batLo / Flickr