Abroad for long term and to keep EE number

[henryluyu]

Hi, 

Due to work arrangement I'll be relocate to China and hope to keep my UK number. I've on a pay monthly tariff but has passed the original contracted period. I'm thinking to move to a PAYG sim to keep the cost down while I'm abroad. Is this feasible?

Is there any restrictions on how long you can be abroad without using it in the UK?  

[Leanne_T]

Hi @henryluyu 

Thanks for coming here. 

You can change to a pay as you go account with the same number. 

Pay as you go SIM cards will go into hibernation if not used, please see our What is pay as you go and flex hibernation, and how do I stop it? article for more information. 

Leanne.

[henryluyu]

Hi Leanne,

Thanks. What about pat monthly SIM? Will the number stay active as long as the monthly payment is paid? What about if the monthly payment is paid but the number is not actively used (no phones or texts in or out, no data usage)?

[Leanne_T]

Hi @henryluyu 

If the payments are made the pay monthly SIM card will stay active, there is no hibernation on pay monthly 🙂

Leanne.

[michelangelo89]

Is this advice still current? I phoned EE and I was told that a roaming charge abroad does not reset the 180-day hibernation policy, and that such a charge needs to be incurred on the UK network. Hence, if I  stay abroad for more than 180 days on a payas you go package I will lose my number. However, that seems to contradict what people are saying in this forum...

[Leanne_T]

Morning @michelangelo89 

Thanks for coming here 🙂

Any of the chargeable activities can be made in the UK and abroad to keep your account alive. You can find full hibernation details in our Why Has My Top Credit Run Out? Help page. 

Full terms and conditions for using your pay as you go SIM abroad can be found in the Pay As You Go Packs Terms and Conditions. 

Leanne.