Activating inclusive extras

[Kjaerligkatt]

I’m looking to changing my plan, as I’m out of contract.  Before doing so, I need to check if I’ll be able to activate a selected  extra, as I cannot receive SMS from the device the SIM is installed in.

I live in a very rural location, with no viable wired broadband, and my Internet is provided through EE 4/5G.  This is achieved with the SIM fitted to a 5G Outdoor Router, mounted on a pole high on the roof for a good signal.  The SIM is therefore not easily accessible and the Outdoor Router is purely for data connectivity - it doesn’t support receiving voice calls or SMS messages. 

What alternatives are there to activating an add-on/Extra if the SMS messages cannot be received on the device the SIM is fitted to?

Thanks in advance.

[Michael_D]

Hi @Kjaerligkatt 

Thanks for coming to the community.

You can choose inclusive extras either when taking the plan out or afterwards in the EE app, but some of the extras would need a link to be sent to activate the service.

Which extra were you thinking of taking?

Michael

[Kjaerligkatt]

Hi @Michael_D 

Thank you for your reply.  I understand that I can select the extra either when I take out the plan, or through my account management.  My expired contract includes extras, and I currently have Netflix and have managed my extras in the past.

When switching to a new contract I'm considering as an extra either continuing with Netflix, or taking out Apple One, as either would benefit me.  I understand that I would need to choose the right plan depending on which I wanted - either 'Unlimited All Rounder' for Netflix or 'Unlimited All Rounder for iPhone' for Apple One.

My question is specifically about activating either of these.  Since they would normally be activated with a link sent by SMS, can they be activated another way, such as receiving the link via email, since I use the SIM in a device on which I cannot receive an SMS.  

Regards, Neil

[Michael_D]

Thanks for explaining @Kjaerligkatt 

Both of those options would need a text to come to the SIM.

The Netflix option would send a link to a verification page which will need a text to be sent to the SIM to verify the subscription.

The Apple One sends a text, with a link again to verify. This needs to be verified using the mobile number and the Apple ID. 

There isn't anyway of verifying either subscription without the SIM.

Michael

[Kjaerligkatt]

Thanks again @Michael_D .

Are there any extras that don't require receiving a text to activate, or are all the the extra benefits unavailable to customers that use an external 5G modem/router as I do, and unable to receive the text message? 

I'm not sure if you are able to feedback to EE, but maybe the dependency to receive an activation via SMS should be highlighted (only Scam Guard and Cyber Security Duo appear to mention the requirement).  Otherwise if someone doesn't check beforehand as I have, they will be very frustrated by not being able to received a benefit they expected.  All that's mentioned on the ordering pages is "You can manage your chosen plan add-ons or add new ones from the full range in My EE", and I could find nothing in the T&Cs about being dependent on receipt of an activation link via SMS.

Thanks, Neil

[Michael_D]

I do believe that all of the inclusive extras would require a verification or activation text to be sent.

If you are choosing one of the All Rounder plans, they are designed to be used in a mobile phone so they can receive all activation codes.

Michael

[Kjaerligkatt]

So what plans would you say are designed for data only usage in situations such as mine?

I was originally on a 4GEE plan (from circa 2018 - I had 2 of these contracts), but when those contracts came to an end, the plan I am currently on was recommended by an EE representative.  For reference I'm on Smart SIM Unlimited with Netflix Standard at the moment, and looking for a suitable alternative contract.

Neil 

[Michael_D]

You would be able to use any of the plans we offer for the data side of it @Kjaerligkatt, but the inclusive extras would be the sticking point due to where you have the SIM and it not being accessible. 

If you were able to get to the SIM, it would be a case of just popping it into a phone to activate the benefit, then moving it back to the router.

Michael

[Matt_124]

Depending on your router, some of these can do forwarding of texts to a different mobile number which may be able to get around this issue for you.

[Kjaerligkatt]

I did think of that (and it is probably how I did it for my current contract, before the router was mounted 🙂 ) - unfortunately the router is mounted 25 feet up a pole on the roof, and not easily accessible.

I have been searching for a mobile broadband specific plans, but can't find any with EE that are available without paying for a modem that I don't need (eg 5GEE Home contract, but this only comes with a 5G Smart Hub included at £100, which I don't need), unlike (for example) Three's Unlimited - Lite SIMO 24M plan.  EE just don't seem to have suitable plans for my use 😞

Neil