Will I be charged for roaming simply for connecting to an overseas network?

[wildernessstone]

Hi,

I have an EE esim (my Primary esim) and contract. I am travelling to the EU and have an international data only esim (my Travel esim). On my iPhone I will switch the Mobile Data service to my Travel esim before landing. I want to avoid incurring the £2.47 daily roaming charge. It would be nice to be able to receive SMS texts, and receive (but not answer) calls on my Primary number whilst abroad but this is not essential. Will I incur the £2.47 daily roaming charge for:

1. My Primary esim simply connecting to an overseas network?
2. My Primary esim receiving a SMS text whilst connected to an overseas network?
3. My Primary esim receiving a call (which I do not answer) whilst connected to an overseas network?

Or do I need to turn off my Primary esim line alltogether to avoid the daily roaming charge (and if I do this does it impact apps like Whatsapp that use that number)?

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

Roaming charges - be they per-minute, per-text, or per-day - are incurred for making or receiving calls abroad, sending text messages abroad or using mobile data abroad.

Connecting a foreign network, and receiving texts, are both free globally, To have an incoming call ring on your phone doesn't charge, but answering it will. If you miss an incoming call and it diverts back to your voicemail, that doesn't class as an incoming call.

[wildernessstone]

Thank you - that is very helpful.