Using my phone abroad -payg.

[cadoc]

Hello.

I'm a pay as you go customer.  Recently I was in Portugal and I wanted to use my phone - Samsung Galaxy A32.

I turned on the mobile networks 'data roaming' setting and also turned on my 'mobile data'.

When I then tried to use the phone I got a message saying that I had no connectivity, even though I had a signal.

I thought that as a PAYG customer, I could simply use my phone in that way, and obviously pay the relevant fees, (there's plenty of credit in my EE account).

Am I doing something wrong ?  Do I have to buy a package or add-on ?

If so, please explain, (in simple step-by-step terms !), what I have to do in future.

Thanks in advance.

[bristolian]

Data roaming just means using mobile data over a roaming network, and is of no relevance for voice calls - you could call this "voice roaming" by the same token.

When you say you "got a message", was this an onscreen message? Or an audible one?

There may have been a local network issue at the time, often connecting to a different operator resolves this. Had you used your phone in the UK before travelling abroad? And did you have sufficient credit to cover the daily charge for using your phone in the EU?

[XRaySpeX]

Do you have an active pack?

Did you receive a msg upon arrival telling you about the charges for roaming in EU on PAYG? Did you buy 1 of the "Roam Like Home" add-ons to be able to use your UK pack allowances there?

[cadoc]

Hello both.  Thanks for your replies.

Bristolian, it was an on screen message......now sadly deleted, and yes I have plenty of credit on my account.

XRaySpeX, I did receive a message on arrival saying 'Welcome to Portugal' etc. but I didn't pay attention to it and can't remember the detail and also accidentally deleted it.  I just thought I could use my phone as I do at home.  In Spain and Cyprus last year I used the phone in this way without buying any 'bundles' or 'add-ons'.

Again, please tell me if I definitely need to use a 'Roam like home' add-on as a PAYG customer when abroad ? And if so how do obtain one ?  (Sorry if I sound a bit naive and simple !)

[XRaySpeX · Accepted solution]

It all changed on 6 June for roaming in EU on PAYG.

For PAYG there are now roaming charges for using your pack allowances in the EU of either £2.50 / day, by texting ROAMEU1D to 150, or £10 / week, by texting ROAMEU7D to 150, to be taken only from your PAYG credit, not your recurring card payment. If you opt to text neither you will be paying standard rates for calls & texts.