topic Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America in Mobile Services

Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Amalie12345 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:24:48 GMT

Hi, I’ve paid the £25 roaming add on so I can use my mobile in the USA. It’s supposed to allow me to use my phone as if I’m in the UK but I cannot receive or make calls. Network is SOS only. I can’t even text or call 150 for advice.

I have already tried resetting auto network to manual and back again. I’ve tried restarting my device, I’ve tried all the manual networks but nothing works. I can send Apple sms and use WhatsApp message with my data but that’s it. Very disappointing, especially considering the spike in price for the add on. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Chris274 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:33:30 GMT

I have exactly the same issue. In the US for the next 3 weeks and desperately need my phone.

All they'll tell you is to text roam to 150... even though texts are blocked!!

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

bristolian — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:34:19 GMT

The billing add-on is merely to reduce charges, it doesn't enable the roaming facility which allows your phone to connect to foreign networks. An inability to make or receive calls is a natural consequence of not having network coverage caused by lack of roaming.

Are you definitely using mobile data for those internet functions, or are you using WiFi? And does your phone show a connection to any US networks?

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Chris274 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:45:38 GMT

I definitely have access to mobile data, its a little unreliable and will drop out every 30mins or so, but speeds are good.

If I try to make a call or text, the data connection and signal strength will drop, and the phone will say no service for a few mins.

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

bristolian — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:57:40 GMT

That sounds like a VoLTE issue, the network you're connected to probably relies on 4G-voice in that area and doesn't have 2G/3G CSFB available.

Does VoLTE (Android) or 4G-call (Apple) show onscreen?

The resolution is likely to either enable VoLTE or manually find another network that has 2G/3G availability.

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Chris274 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:45:24 GMT

So I am on a Samsung s23 ultra. There was no VoLTE symbol on my notification bar so I think you were correct.

I managed to speak to ee customer services using my partners phone. They said I had roaming switched on for the EU but not worldwide. They changed the settings to worldwide roaming and everything is now working OK!

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Leanne_T — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:49:01 GMT

Thanks for coming back to us and letting us know this is now sorted for you @Chris274

I hope you have an amazing time 🙂

Leanne.

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Amalie12345 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 04:40:29 GMT

Hi Leanne,

How do I resolve this when I cannot call EE to check if my roaming is worldwide? My data works without wifi and i my EE account online shows the £25 USA bundle has been added

many thanks in advance

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Katie_B — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 07:12:09 GMT

Hello @Amalie12345.

Welcome to the community.

If your mobile data works OK without WiFi this indicates a network connection is available.

Are you able to check if a network shows when you are not connected to WiFi?

Did you activate roaming by texting ROAMING to 150 before leaving the UK?

Katie

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

bristolian — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 09:03:20 GMT

If you've proven mobile data is working and you therefore have a network connection, roaming is activated. Can you send & receive SMS OK?

If so, and with you being in the US, this may be a VoLTE issue preventing 4G-calling. US networks now rely on VoLTE (the technology behind 4G-calling) without having any 2G/3G fallback.

If so, there will be 2 ways to resolve this:

1: Ensure VoLTE is enabled in your phone's menu, and that "VoLTE" (Android) or "4G-call" (Apple) is shown on-screen

2: Do a manual network search, try connecting to each available network in-turn and see if any will accept a connection on 2G/3G if available.

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Amalie12345 — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 13:33:20 GMT

Thank you. I've tried all the above but I still cannot send a message to 150 (always undelivered) and cannot ring anyone. 4G shows up but the signal bars never go up beyond 1 bar, it flickers to 1 bar, to nothing, then sometimes to S0S.

I have tried flicking between AUTO 5G and 4G.

See phone screengrabs attached,

Thank you in advance

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Amalie12345 — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 13:44:25 GMT

Still doesn't work with all the settings....

My EE page also says I have roaming added on.

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

James_B — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 14:38:34 GMT

Did you try a manual network search @Amalie12345?

James

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Tk41 — Thu, 23 May 2024 10:10:59 GMT

I need to make an emergency call to my medical insurance company and this is preventing me from doing so.

Please can I get some help. I have similar issues to those on this thread. I'm in the US. Volte is not showing on my screen. Its selected in my settings and i have tried to use other network but it doesnt even go through.

Regards

Tuvola

Re: Phone can’t call or text 150 in America

Christopher_G — Thu, 23 May 2024 10:33:13 GMT

Hi @Tk41

Is your SIM on contract or pay as you go? Is it an emergency number that you're calling, or is it a UK mobile/landline?

Chris