Using phone abroad

[Adr5]

Currently in Lanzarote. Tried to inform EE I was going abroad but couldn’t see how. Now unable to link with any network. Really disappointed with lack of support from EE.

[Adr5]

• Really not impressed with EE. Tried to inform EE that I was going abroad - went into my account but couldn’t see how to do that. Now I am abroad and cannot link with any network. 
  Have tried texting Roam to 150 but texts not delivered. Very poor service indeed. 

[XRaySpeX]

@Adr5 : Are you on contract or PAYG? Did you use 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 add-on doesn't of itself activate roaming on your a/c.

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

[Adr5]

Hi 

Thanks for getting in touch.

I’m on a contract and my sim is the same as I use at home.

Tried to inform EE I was going abroad before I went but when I searched for the topic all I got was what charges I would be paying.

Assumed I’d be linked to a local network when I arrived, but obviously not.

Have rebooted my phone several times without success. 
Thanks anyway 

[XRaySpeX]

If you didn't activate roaming on your EE a/c before you left UK by texting ROAMING to 150, you will need to call CS. Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. via Skype over WiFi. It should be free.

[Adr5]

Thanks again for getting back to me.

I now understand I should have texted ‘roaming’ to 150 before going abroad.

However, when I searched the EE website to find out if I needed to alert them before I left home, there was no clear cut advice about exactly what I had to do and when I had to do it. Neither were the ramifications explained of not doing so.
Eg For years I have been regularly traveling abroad whereupon my phone would automatically link me to a local network. 
EE did not explain this no longer happened.

As I said earlier, everytime I searched ‘using my phone abroad’ all I got was what the charges which would apply.

I regard this as a disappointing lack of communication from EE.

Nevertheless, your advice is appreciated. 

[XRaySpeX]

When you look at any country's Roaming Costs page, https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/roaming-costs/ , there is a "Getting ready to roam" checklist near the start:

• Switch roaming on by texting ROAMING to 150 (it's free).

---