topic Sending SMS when roaming in Archived Posts

Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:35:02 GMT

Hello,

I am currently abroad and I am trying to send SMS using my PAYG plan. I tried multiple numbers but each time I get the message "unable to send message after multiple attempts". When I try to make a call I hear something like "this number are barred" (whichever number I use).

More details:
- The phone is connected to the network. I receive messages from EE

- I used some data on this plan while in UK

- I have active £1 Talk Pack

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:44:58 GMT

Where are you a'roaming? If outside EU your pack is useless & you would need credit to pay for them.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:48:49 GMT

Not EU. I have credit. How do I use it to send SMS? I thought I have to buy a pack like above.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:57:37 GMT

No, packs only valid in UK & EU.

As long as you have PAYG credit to cover it, you just send a text.

Again where are you?

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 19:08:48 GMT

For some reason just using the credit does not work for me.

I'm in East Europe, non-EU country. I'd rather not say the exact location.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:21:28 GMT

As it is not in EU, you cannot use your usual UK allowances there but will need to pay the charges as set out in e.g. https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/roaming-costs/countries/moldova .

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:41:10 GMT

I understand this now (thanks to you). The question is why I can't send SMS or make a call when I have enough credit.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:44:10 GMT

Does texting AL to 150 from it work & what does it fully report verbatim?

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:53:01 GMT

I already tried 150 several times. Immediate "unable to send message after multiple attempts".

I'm also reading "Text ROAMING to 150 before you go or enable international calls and texts from MyEE" on that roaming costs page. Does it actually apply to PAYG? I read elsewhere that roaming is enabled automatically on PAYG.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:57:17 GMT

None of that applies to PAYG. PAYG is auto enabled for roaming. You won't see any of those settings & don't need to change anything.

Were you able to send texts when you were in UK?

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:05:30 GMT

I did not try sending SMS while in UK.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:08:27 GMT

Did you make calls in UK?

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:09:49 GMT

Nope. I only used data.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:12:05 GMT

As you never used that PAYG SIM for making calls or texts in UK before you left to go abroad you can't now use it until you return to UK. EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

GT17 — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:17:23 GMT

Is there any other way around this? I won't be in UK soon.

My main concern is that in the absence of "Connection Action" my SIM card will be disabled and I will lose the credit. So I wanted to spend something on SMS or call.

Re: Sending SMS when roaming

XRaySpeX — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:22:49 GMT

No, other than send the SIM to a pal in UK to make a call or text & then return it to you.