topic Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties in Roaming

Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

Westcraigs1 — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:08:08 GMT

I have two phones via a business account, both of which have the same package.

One phone connects automatically via China Unicom so that I can receive the odd log on code via SMS, but the other phone won't connect to China Unicom automatically, or manually and to any other network showing up after I've scan searched.

Why does one phone connect straight away and the other won't connect no matter what you do?

Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

Christopher_G — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:27:13 GMT

Hi @Westcraigs1

Welcome to the community.

Each SIM needs to be enabled for international roaming. It sounds to me like one it, and one isn't.

I recommend getting in touch with our Business Support team, so that they can check everything from our side for you.

Chris

Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

XRaySpeX — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 23:55:52 GMT

Referring just to the phone that doesn't work ...

Did you receive a Welcome text upon arrival?

Are you on contract or PAYG? Had you used that SIM for making calls or texts in UK before leaving to go abroad?

If you are on contract, did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before leaving UK by texting ROAMING to 150? Having a roaming billing add-on doesn't of itself activate roaming on your a/c. Having roaming activated on your EE a/c, not just on your device, is crucial to using your contract SIM abroad.

Often just rebooting the phone is the simple remedy. Also try selecting a network manually rather than auto.

Otherwise if you are on contract you need to call CS to get your roaming activated. Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. using a web-calling app over WiFi.

Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

Westcraigs1 — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:38:58 GMT

Hi,

You're right, both have Europe Roaming, but only one is set to full roaming.

I'm in Asia so texting 150 from the phone I want also have full roaming obviously won't work, so how to do that please (disappointing that it appears one can't do that after accessing the online account)?

Thank you.

Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

XRaySpeX — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:42:21 GMT

Only by calling CS!

Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

Westcraigs1 — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:36:20 GMT

Many thanks.😊

Re: Connecting to a network in China - Difficulties

XRaySpeX — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:43:27 GMT

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & hope it soon gets sorted.