Roaming in Germany: thank you!

[fguerraz]

Hi,

I just wanted to say a big thank you for finally re-enabling Telekom as a roaming partner in Germany after a couple of years of having to live with O2, which was SO bad

Also, 5G roaming? Woaa I was not expecting this, nice surprise, working really well.

The only thing that's really missing now is VoLTE/5G when roaming, it's really annoying to loose internet during calls.

IPv6 when roaming would be cool too, but not as critical.

Thanks again for the recent improvements.

[Barra]

It’s interesting that you have noted the length of time that it has taken to connect to Telekom. 

I have tried multiple times, but my phone has never connected. I’m going to leave it for over an hour one last time before contacting EE. I spend a lot of time in Germany and travelling to other countries for work. 

I am thinking a move to 3 may be on the cards, as I’ve experienced issues like others on this thread with low to no signal in and around Düsseldorf (on both o2 and Voda), and cycling around NRW. Sometimes being stranded with no maps. 

[mailjackhorrey]

I have literally just got back from Germany I spend the first part of the week there.

I had the same problem, I tried to select Telekom manually, and I even left my phone overnight, but it wouldn’t connect! I really wish EE could just provide a decent service in Germany. Is it really that much to ask?
What has changed is that 02 now provides 5G and the only place I could seem to get that was around Frankfurt airport. Apart from that, it’s the same old ropey service that you end up losing the minute you go anywhere a tree is in sight. The big problem I have is that because 02 is the only network that provides any form of data and I lose service so often it then connects to Vodafone.  The signal from Vodafone is excellent. The only problem is the EE only offers and edge service for Vodafone!!

I’m forever, ending up with a service where I can use a phone for basic calls only but no Internet  Once Vodafone is connected with the an Edge service. My phone wants to stay on that, and I have to manually go back to O2 but more often than not there isn’t much service available.  
All EE really have to do is either allow access to Telekom once again, which was perfect, or allow a 4G service on Vodafone, and then everything will be fine. 
The former prime minister, Liz Truss was very tin eared and wouldn’t listen to the people. I just wonder if she’s taken at post at a certain telecommunications company 😂

[Barra]

Well. 

You have captured my last 4 weeks in NRW (mainly Düsseldorf) perfectly. 

My contract with EE will be cancelled in the next month and take out a new contract with 3, as that is who my fiancé is with and she has zero issues. 

[mailjackhorrey]

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had the same problems but I wish I could go to 3 like you are! I’ve got a 3 Go Roam pay as you go second sim on my phone which is broadband only. I use it when I go to the USA and Singapore as the roaming is good value. 

I tested it in Germany and it allows 5G connections to Vodafone, Telekom and O2. No restrictions whatsoever and you can easily manually connect to whichever provider you choose. An excellent service. I think you’ll be quite happy. 

Funnily enough EE offer 4G and 5G on 2 networks + in France and Italy. Why they can’t do it in Germany I’ll never know. 

[fguerraz]

Well, I don't know what's different about my service, but I've had Telekom connectivity every time I went to Germany since October.

I've switched to the Pixel 7 Pro (eSIM) at around the same time but I don't see how it could be related.

I'm going again in two weeks, I'll report back.

[mailjackhorrey]

I look forward to your report. I had Telekom in December but I think you’ll find you can’t get it now sadly. 

[fguerraz]

Well indeed, Telekom is no longer accessible. At least we have O2 with a nice 5G logo (but of course, barely 3G speeds). I have no words for you EE.

[mailjackhorrey]

I would say that I’m shocked but I’m not shocked! I’m going again next week. I called customer services and the guy I spoke to was doing his best. He tried to convince me that they can change my E signal I get on Vodafone to 4G. If only he could I’d be happy. I’ve no idea why EE are so incompetent when it comes to roaming in Germany. 

I agree the 5G with O2 is a joke. It certainly is slower than 3G!

[fguerraz]

They're not incompetent, they're just cheap. I bet Telekom and Vodafone are refusing to sell them data at the regulatory rate since Brexit, since they can.

[mailjackhorrey]

Three allow data on all German networks, O2 Uk also roam with Telekom as well as O2 Germany. I’ll replace the word incompetent with ‘conservative’ 😂