Usa connectivity issues

[nbates]

Arrived in the usa, pixel 8 with a roaming package.  I get sporadic network connections which then only allow data connections.

Since arrival 4 days ago I have not been able to make or receive calls by cell or WiFi.

Rebooted several times, turned airplane mode on and off several times but still no calls, texts or consistent network connections.

Family on O2 all working well and full time.

Tried calling 150, but no call connections....

Anything I can do please?

[XRaySpeX]

Are you on contract or PAYG? Had you used that SIM for making calls or texts in UK before you left to go abroad?

If you are on contract, did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before you left UK by texting ROAMING to 150? Having a roaming billing add-on doesn't of itself activate roaming on your a/c. Having roaming activated on your EE a/c, not just on your device, is crucial to using your contract SIM abroad.

Often just rebooting the phone is the simple remedy. Also try selecting a network manually rather than auto.

Otherwise you need to call CS to get your roaming activated. Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. on Skype over WiFi. It should be free.

[nbates]

Contract and well established SIM, works all over Europe.

Roaming activated before leaving the UK.

It also seems odd that I can't even make WiFi calls

[XRaySpeX]

Maybe in the EU, but is roaming activated globally? Did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before you left UK by texting ROAMING to 150?

WiFi Calling is not supported outside UK.

[nbates]

Yes roaming was activated for the USA, and global at £25/month

[XRaySpeX]

No, I'm not talking about the Roam Abroad Pass. That's just a billing add-on to help you pay for your roaming. It doesn't give you the permission to roam in the first place. 

[bristolian]

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@nbates wrote:

Yes roaming was activated for the USA, and global at £25/month

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You're confusing two bits here, but it's quite a common misconception.

Regardless of any billing add-on, your ability to get coverage abroad (which calls, texts & mobile data rely on) is dependent on roaming being activated - which allows your phone to connect to foreign networks.

You may well have EU-only roaming enabled, but with a global billing add-on. If you are on pay-monthly and now find yourself abroad without having enabled roaming, your only recourse will be to contact CS to request it activated. You can either contact +44 7953 966150 from another working phone, or +44 800 9566000 using a web-calling app such as Skype over WiFi.

[nbates]

Ok, thanks.

I clearly need to try and call CS, but why am I getting data connections but no calling it texts?

[bristolian]

If you are certain you're using mobile data, then that does demonstrate a mobile network connection. Another good test is whether you received the welcome text message on first arrival.

If that works, then issues are usually down to local network problems - and manually selecting an alternative one often resolves.

[Willip]

I had exactly the same recently - data worked but not calls. I was advised to manually select AT&T instead of T-Mobile. This fixed the issue.