No signal in laos

[sammygj]

Hello, I am currently travelling asia and have changed to pay as you go to keep my number as I need it for business reasons. I have put my sim in (currently in laos) and no mobile network comes up. I need to send a text every 3 months to keep my number but am not able to due to no signal. What do I do?

[bristolian]

All new PAYG SIMs must be first used in the UK before roaming is enabled, which then unlocks access to foreign networks. This includes migrations from pay-monthly.

Did you use your SIM in the UK once it was on PAYG, and before leaving the country? If not - this is the reason for the lack of coverage abroad and is only resolved by using the SIM on EE's UK network.

[EJT2109]

EE do not work with any provider in Laos - we were there Dec 2023 and had no signal at all the entire time which meant we also couldn’t access other tech that required you to confirm by receipt of text message! WiFi calling also wouldn’t work. EE we’re unbelievably UNHELPFUL when speaking to them. We were told it was our phone settings, we needed to reset, buy add ons etc. they sent us around in circles for days on end and were shocking to deal with. So disappointed and it 100% spoilt our holiday (also they don’t even know Laos is a country when you call!) Our advice just don’t expect it to work (it won’t) and don’t waste your time expecting EE to be any help at all.