topic Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming in Pay as you go

I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

Dashford — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:38:50 GMT

I have a PAYG SIM and I am using a very old (but perfectly functioning iPhone 4S). I simply want to be able to receive calls and texts while i am abroad. I spend a lot of time in Dubai. I have looked up how to do this and I think I need to send a text saying ROAMING to 150 and also CALL ABROAD to 150. The problem is I cannot send these texts because I am already abroad. I cannot see how to do it on the My EE web site either. Can anyone help please? I just want to receive calls and texts while I am in Dubai. I have £10 credit on my SIM so that's not the issue. Thanks.

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

bristolian — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:58:12 GMT

PAYG SIMs are auto-enabled for roaming and there is no requirement to activate it, as there is with pay-monthly.

You do, however, need to have used your phone on EE's UK network before travelling abroad. Did you?

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

Dashford — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:59:55 GMT

Hi, thanks for the reply. No I did not use it in UK. I only put the SIM in my phone once I was in Dubai. Is there any way i can get it working with this in mind?

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

bristolian — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:01:34 GMT

No, the only way to activate a new PAYG SIM for roaming is to use it on EE's UK network first.

There is no workaround.

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

Dashford — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:16:16 GMT

Aaaagh! OK thank you. There is no information telling me I needed to do this. I would have done it before I'd left UK if I'd known. Thanks so much for your help.

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

XRaySpeX — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 18:06:10 GMT

You need do neither of those texts.

ROAMING to 150 is required only for contracts.
CALL ABROAD to 150 is only for making International calls/texts from UK..

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

wosior18 — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:44:36 GMT

Hi, I have similar issue however my friend have activated my card in the UK and posted to me in Poland and I still can't make calls or receive.

Re: I am already out of the UK and i cannot send a text to activate roaming

James_B — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:52:36 GMT

Hi @wosior18,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

Was the SIM used to make a call, send a text or used for mobile data in the UK before it was sent to you?

James