topic Re: phone operation in UAE in Roaming

phone operation in UAE

neilrodger — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:29:56 GMT

I recently was in the UAE. I activated roaming before I travelled. When we landed, I received no confirming text and my phone did not work, calls or texts or internet. This went on till I crossed the border into Qatar when suddenly everything started downloading and I was able to use my phone again as normal. Is EE usable in the UAE?

Re: phone operation in UAE

bristolian — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:56:50 GMT

Phones are normally set to automatic network selection, whereby the search for, and registration onto, a chosen network abroad is fully automatic. In the vast majority of cases, it works.

In your case, and sometimes, a manual network search can be necessary - whereby you manually search for local networks, and then cycle through each one in-turn until a connection is accepted.

Once you have network coverage, that allows calls, texts & mobile data to be used.

Re: phone operation in UAE

neilrodger — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:00:18 GMT

I'm afraid all that was done but no result. I even took it to the main esalat shop but they could not make it work!

Re: phone operation in UAE

bristolian — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:21:07 GMT

I could only advise based on the info you posted.

I'm not surprised the local operator couldn't help - all I'd expect them to do is try manual network searches then refer you to your own network CS