topic Re: Unable to make or receive calls in Roaming

Unable to make or receive calls

pcarsso — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:57:43 GMT

Hi, I am currently in Accra but unable to make calls or use data on my EE PAYG. How do I get around this? I get the feedback ' 'call has been barred' whenever I try to make one. Any help or feedback would be appreciated.

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

bristolian — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:33:57 GMT

Regardless of any billing add-on, your ability to get coverage abroad (which calls, texts & mobile data rely on) is dependent on roaming being activated - which allows your phone to connect to foreign networks.

Have you used your phone abroad previously, did you receive a welcome text message on first arrival abroad? These are good evidence of roaming being enabled if so. In these cases, manually cycling through all available local networks often resolves issues - toggling flight mode can have the same effect.

If not...On PAYG, roaming is auto-enabled once your phone is used in the UK first. Did you do this?

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

Northerner — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:26:54 GMT

Hi @pcarsso

When did you last make a chargeable call or text on the SIM.

Thanks

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

XRaySpeX — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 19:44:37 GMT

Had you used that PAYG SIM for making calls or texts in UK before going abroad? To be used abroad EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network. If it wasn't you can't now use it until you return to UK.

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

pcarsso — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:03:42 GMT

Yes, I received a welcome message. I will do as you suggest and go through the available local networks. Actually, I have a new phone now. I put my EE sim in it but I have never used it in the UK. I don't know if that is the reason for the challenges

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

pcarsso — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:04:26 GMT

About 6 months ago

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

pcarsso — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:05:08 GMT

Yes, I used that sim back in the UK

Re: Unable to make or receive calls

bristolian — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:48:06 GMT

FYI you have a short time after posting to edit, negating the need for multiple short replies.

@pcarsso wrote:

About 6 months ago

PAYG SIMs require chargeable usage at least once every 179days else they are hibernated for non-usage, with approx 3months grace to reactivate before outright disconnection.

Your symptoms are consistent with this being the cause, in which case your resolution is to contact EE-CS via another means, to request reactivation. You need to call either +44 7953 966150 from any working phone, or +44 800 9566000 from a web-calling app such as Skype.