Can't send a text from abroad to keep number alive

[cockbug]

I've left the UK to travel for 12 months.

Before I left the UK in November 2021 I spoke to EE to change my number from a monthly plan to PAYG. 

I asked how can I ensure I keep the number and was told to just send a text every now and then. The EE website is not straight forward and it's taken multiple attempts to figure out how to top up as it just said account closed. Now I've figured that out.

I added a £5 credit but I cannot send a text. I bought the add-on for 200 texts a month but it still does not send.

Roaming is on, I'm currently in Malaysia. I cant text 150 as it doesn't send. I really don't want to lose my number! 

Any help would be appreciated, Thank you!

[Chris_B]

@cockbug   Have tried calling ?  As this will keep the sim activated.    Also is that text just to one number or different numbers? 

[XRaySpeX]

@cockbug : There is no add-on for sending texts from outside the UK/EU but that doesn't matter as you ought to be able to pay for texts straight from your PAYG credit. Just to check how much did you pay for it? Was it £5?

Sounds like it has gone into hibernation.

When did you last use it for a chargeable action? EE PAYG SIMs are deactivated after 6 months of non-use. You then have a further 3 months to call EE to reactivate it before it is lost completely.

You needed to make a chargeable action like making a chargeable call or text, topping up or buying a Pack or Add-on, not just using your mins, texts or data from your pack.

[cockbug]

@XRaySpeX When you buy the add on for texts it doesn't say whether it's for UK/EU or outside. It didn't let me send a text prior to buying that add-on which is why I bought the add on. Yes bought it for £5. 

I'm still able to receive texts, like verification codes for different things. 

It was last used in November 2021. I uploaded credit today. I don't have a pack, I cancelled my monthly plan, it ended in December 2021 and I was told it would convert to a PAYG. I just couldn't figure out how to add credit until I got my partner to help today. 

I don't know how I'm going to be able to call EE is the issue as I have no minutes for calling here, I'd need to look into that. I was hoping it could be done online. 

[XRaySpeX]

@cockbug : The PAYG text add-on should be labelled "UK/EU Texts". But that's not the issue.

As you switched to PAYG while abroad in Dec. 2021 you can't now use it until you return to UK. EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network.