topic International calling while abroad in Mobile Services

International calling while abroad

Lemmiwinks — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 06:22:47 GMT

I'm currently based overseas, and I need to make a call / text using my UK number. I have enough credit (PAYG) but it won't let me connect.

I need to either call or text to ensure that my number does not expire as I have not used it for almost 3 months.

I have searched through all the options on the my EE app, and I cannot find anything that will allow me to enable international calls. Any help will be much appreciated.

Re: International calling while abroad

Jon_K — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:34:02 GMT

Hi @Lemmiwinks

Do you get an error message when you try to make a call?

Have you got a signal where you are?

Jon

Re: International calling while abroad

Lemmiwinks — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:43:43 GMT

Hi, yes I get an error message - 'calls from this number are barred'

Re: International calling while abroad

bristolian — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:57:29 GMT

Does this affect calls to both UK and other (local to your country) numbers?

Re: International calling while abroad

XRaySpeX — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 12:20:21 GMT

Where are you?

Did you use that PAYG SIM for making calls or texts in UK before you left to go abroad? EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network before they can be used abroad. If it wasn't you can't now use it until you return to UK.

Re: International calling while abroad

Chris_B — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 12:37:15 GMT

@Lemmiwinks You say it will not let you connect is that to a network or to the device you are calling ? If it’s to a network then try a manual network search and also try just restarting the device. You do not need to enable anything as it’s pay-as-you-go which is means you top up your account to give you an allowance to use.

Re: International calling while abroad

foxtrotmike — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 15:43:17 GMT

Don't forget that you need to include the country code on all numbers even if you are calling a UK or local number

Re: International calling while abroad

Lemmiwinks — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 10:53:03 GMT

Hi,

I'm in the UAE.

I got the PAYG SIM just before I left the UK, so I don't think I actually used it in the UK at all. Is there any way to activate it remotely? I would phone the EE technical team but obviously I'm not able to do this!

My main concern is to not lose my phone number from not using it for over 3 months. Is there any other way to ensure that I don't lose my phone number, as I have had this number for a long time and I really don't want to lose it.

Thanks for all your help.

Alex

Re: International calling while abroad

Lemmiwinks — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 10:53:48 GMT

It is connected to a network

Re: International calling while abroad

Lemmiwinks — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 10:54:14 GMT

Yes I have the country codes in the numbers that I am calling

Re: International calling while abroad

bristolian — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 11:13:27 GMT

@Lemmiwinks wrote:

I got the PAYG SIM .... so I don't think I actually used it in the UK at all. Is there any way to activate it remotely?

No. The SIM needs to be used on EE's UK network first.

Re: International calling while abroad

XRaySpeX — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 11:41:59 GMT

You have ~6 months (179 days) to make a chargeable action before it goes into hibernation.

Re: International calling while abroad

Lemmiwinks — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 11:53:18 GMT

Ok thank you. I will be going back to the UK for a trip in a month so I'll be able to use it then.

Thanks for all your help

Re: International calling while abroad

lmilanova — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 11:44:53 GMT

After a chargeable action is done, will the sim card remain active for another ~6 months (179 days) ?

And after the first chargeable action in UK, can the next ones be outside UK?

Basically can one keep their EE number by making a call/sending text in roaming using the top-up credit every 6 months ?

Re: International calling while abroad

XRaySpeX — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:29:43 GMT

@Lemmiwinks : Yes to all.

Re: International calling while abroad

Leanne_T — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:34:43 GMT

Hi @lmilanova

Thanks for coming to the community.

@XRaySpeX is correct and full details can be found in our What is pay as you go and flex hibernation, and how do I stop it? - The EE Community article 🙂

Leanne.