topic Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad in Mobile Services

Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 09:04:00 GMT

Hello,

I’m unable to receive texts or calls abroad despite I topped up some pounds! In the beginning of my journey I was able to receive texts normally. But after some months I couldn’t receive anything!

I changed my “Network Selection” from Automatic to Manual, and chose other operators but it shows No Service! So I need to switch “Network Selection” to Automatic to get service, but without receiving anything. I also tried to restart the mobile and change the SIM CARD, but it didn’t help at all.

By the way I forgot to activate/add or text my add-on “CALL ABROAD” to 150

I have Pay as you go SIM CARD.

Any possible solutions?

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

bristolian — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 14:31:18 GMT

Did you use your phone in the UK before travelling abroad? That is the means by which PAYG phones are enabled for international roaming.

You've mentioned being able to send texts abroad before, which would suggest roaming is active thus enabling you to connect to foreign networks - can you confirm?

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 20:09:50 GMT

Yes, I used my phone in the UK before travelling abroad many times. And I do receive texts from the UK normally.

I did receive texts abroad before, but didn’t send texts because of highly cost.

I even turned Data roaming on, and restarted the mobile without seeing any response!

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Christopher_G — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 06:49:26 GMT

Hi @Vollys

Whereabouts in the world are you? Have you tried manually connecting to a different available network?

Chris

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 07:33:53 GMT

Hey @Christopher_G

Yes, sure. I switched off Network Selection, and chose manually other available networks. The weird thing was when I chose other available networks, it’s begun searching the network…. And after a few seconds, it shows No Service! This is very weird!

Regards

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

XRaySpeX — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 10:01:14 GMT

You say this happened after some months & that you only receive texts abroad (which are not chargeable). How many months?

Sounds like your PAYG SIM has gone into hibernation.

When did you last use it for a chargeable action? EE PAYG SIMs are deactivated after 6 months of non-use. You then have a further 3 months to call EE to reactivate it before it is lost completely.

You needed to make a chargeable action like making a chargeable call or text, topping up or buying a Pack or Add-on, not just using your mins, texts or data from your pack.

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 11:22:14 GMT

I haven’t used the SIM card approximately 8-9 months. But during these months I was able to receive texts without any problems.

I topped up my number for two days ago. But I still can’t receive any texts. And I can’t even buy Add-ons from this topping-up or buy Online buying!

I agree with you, my number may gone into hibernation, because of non-using.

What do you think to do now? And which number can I call EE when abroad? And what to tell them (I’d like to reactivate my number? Or..)?

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

XRaySpeX — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 11:55:22 GMT

Well, if it's gone over the 9 months you've surely lost it completely & you can't get it back. Receiving texts doesn't count as they are always free. Topping up just 2 days ago was too late. It had already gone into hibernation or worse.

You could try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. on Skype over WiFi. It should be free.

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 11:58:47 GMT

Thanks a lot mate @XRaySpeX

Do you have EE contact details (which you mentioned above)?

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

XRaySpeX — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 12:38:43 GMT

Look in my signature.

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:02:02 GMT

I called EE via Skype and it was free 🙂

I talked to the CS and they activated the number. I even texted my EU number and it worked perfectly 🙂

I have just a tiny issue, which is when I log in for example in HMRC’s app, they send me a code to my phone number which I haven’t received in 30 minutes or more. Still reactivate issue or something else?

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Christopher_G — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:13:07 GMT

I'm glad you were able to speak to someone to get activated, @Vollys.

Could you try manually connecting to a different available network to see if the messages then come through?

Chris

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:24:21 GMT

Hello Chris,

I turned off automatic Network Selection off, and chose manually. I tried two other available networks, but it shows No Service.

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Christopher_G — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:29:01 GMT

I'm not sure why those messages aren't coming through, @Vollys

If you're able to, I'd recommend speaking to the technical support team again through Skype. Hopefully they can figure it out.

Chris

Re: Can’t receive texts and calls abroad

Vollys — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 09:52:03 GMT

They said it’s normal it takes that long time!