topic Re: Isle of man roaming in Mobile Network discussions

Isle of man roaming

Pis1 — Wed, 22 May 2024 17:40:59 GMT

I live in Cumbria UK on the coast, I can see the isle of man from where I live, but have never visited there, but EE think that I'm there and are trying to charge for EU roaming, is there anything I can do to prevent this. Obviously dont want to pay extra for using my data\minutes but I also don't want to not to be able to use my phone.

Re: Isle of man roaming

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 May 2024 17:45:35 GMT

@Pis1 : Do a manual search of Network Ops & select EE.

Re: Isle of man roaming

bristolian — Wed, 22 May 2024 17:51:15 GMT

This is a common occurrence in border locations or anywhere that your home network doesn't have coverage but a foreign network does. The "welcome to country" text messages are partly intended as a notification of precisely this scenario.

You could use manual network mode to force a connection to EE-alone, the downside is that anytime you leave EE's coverage for a period of time - your phone will not automatically regain coverage but will need to manually be reselected.

You may disable roaming on your account, this would mean you need to re-enable it when you next travel abroad but would mean you can retain auto-network selection.

The behaviour is by design, and is partly why there are no roaming charges in the Republic of Ireland.

Re: Isle of man roaming

Northerner — Wed, 22 May 2024 18:04:24 GMT

Hi @Pis1

Turn off automatic network selection and manually select EE.

Sadly this indicates that the IOM has a stronger sinal than locally.

Thanks

Re: Isle of man roaming

bristolian — Wed, 22 May 2024 18:11:22 GMT

@Northerner wrote:

Sadly this indicates that the IOM has a stronger sinal than locally.

Unfortunately not.

This means that your your home network doesn't have coverage but a foreign network does. If your home network has coverage, then your phone will not attempt to roam - the strength of the coverage is immaterial.

Re: Isle of man roaming

Northerner — Wed, 22 May 2024 18:20:30 GMT

@bristolian

Just read what you have said;

your home network doesn't have coverage but a foreign network does

You are making the same point as me, in essence the signal in the IOM is stronger than the one locally.

Thanks

Re: Isle of man roaming

bristolian — Wed, 22 May 2024 19:52:56 GMT

@Northerner wrote:

@bristolian

You are making the same point as me, in essence the signal in the IOM is stronger than the one locally.

No, and this is a crucial point.

Your home network has to have no coverage for your phone to attempt roaming. If your home network has coverage, roaming will not be attempted - whether the roaming network is weaker or stronger is irrelevant.

Re: Isle of man roaming

XRaySpeX — Wed, 22 May 2024 22:08:28 GMT

Yes, you're right! EE network had 0 strength at that time.