23-03-2026 10:47 AM
Solved! See the answer below or view the solution in context.
23-03-2026 12:20 PM - edited 23-03-2026 12:24 PM
@marcocapoccione , you will not be able to activate your SIM card until you return to the UK, you would have to ring using a different phone, but not sure whether you will be able to ring customer service with the free number, and anyway your sim first needs activating in the UK..
Did you let EE customer service know that you were going abroad? You should have made a chargeable call or text whilst in the UK first before going abroad, not EE’s fault, this would happen with any network, not just EE, as it has to connect to the UK network to work, and you need credit to use it.
23-03-2026 10:53 AM
I asked to change account, from a group account I was in I wanted my own one. So I phoned EE and they were not able to create a new account for me but just I had to cease the account and open a new one . In between they put me on a pay as you go plan while I was abroad and told me to call 150 to create a new account after 3 days as they could not do it straight away. I waited 3 days without any network connection and once i called 150 and all the other EE numbers, calls were all barred. Ridiculous. I am stuck in Italy without knowing what to do and EE do not have any other option to help me . Shocking. There is no other way to contact anyone in EE. The app is not allowing you to speak to any human who might understand the issue EE caused me. I really think it is not a good enough. Do you know any other way to contact EE ?
23-03-2026 11:28 AM
As it was switched to PAYG while you were abroad you can't now use it until you return to UK. EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network before they can be used abroad.
23-03-2026 11:40 AM
Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 does not work . The message is Calls are barred
23-03-2026 12:20 PM - edited 23-03-2026 12:24 PM
@marcocapoccione , you will not be able to activate your SIM card until you return to the UK, you would have to ring using a different phone, but not sure whether you will be able to ring customer service with the free number, and anyway your sim first needs activating in the UK..
Did you let EE customer service know that you were going abroad? You should have made a chargeable call or text whilst in the UK first before going abroad, not EE’s fault, this would happen with any network, not just EE, as it has to connect to the UK network to work, and you need credit to use it.
23-03-2026 12:41 PM
I was cleared I was abroad and despite that EE asked me to go through that procedure. If that was not possible, why would they ask me to do that ? It was never mentioned I needed to be in the UK to do so. And why should I ? I am visiting relatives in Italy and now I cannot access my sim card because of that. I do not think it is fair. Someone from EE said they were going to call me back and they did not and delayed till tomorrow and tomorrow they will do the same I imagine until I will be back to the UK next week. Do you think it is acceptable ?
23-03-2026 12:56 PM
They would be from that PAYG SIM. You need to call from another phone.