roaming: cannot reply to sms

[annina1]

I arrived in Chile and was sent a sms from ee from the 1024 account, asking me to reply by sending a code to buy roaming. however when I do that, an error message comes up saying that the phone number is incorrectly formatted, and I cannot send the sms. any ideas on how I can get my roaming started?

[Northerner]

Hi @annina1 

Are you on EE PAYG or pay monthly contract. 

If PAYG did you activate the sim on the UK network before leaving the UK.

If you're on a pay monthly contract did you activate roaming on your account before leaving the UK. If not then you'll need to download Skype over wifi and call the number in my signature over WiFi to speak to EE CS. ( UK office hours).

You're probably better off with a local SIM if your device is unlocked.

Thanks 

[bristolian]

What was the exact text of the message you received on arriving in Chile?

If you received this over a mobile network connection, then roaming is self-evidently active and the issue is something else.