HELP! EU use. Can’t do calls, send SMS or surf.

HansD1997
Investigator
Investigator

Hi, 

I bought a pay as you go SIM card in the UK but didn’t used it there. I just put it in the phone and got an Sms with a Hello and my number. 

Now, I’m in Germany. There I booked the 10£ 8GB subscription. I also bought the 24h EU Roaming. 
but its not possible to send a sms, do a call or use the internet. 

can you please help me?

thank you!

1 SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

@HansD1997 , you should have made a chargeable call or text first before going abroad, putting the SIM card in the UK and it shows as having network is not enough.

Out of interest is it showing any network in Germany? Did you receive a welcome message? 

To contact EE customer service dial 150 from your mobile phone or ring customer service for free using web based app or another phone: +44 800 079 8586 or +44 800 956 6000.

View solution in original post

11 REPLIES 11
XRaySpeX
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

As you never used that PAYG SIM for making calls or texts in UK before you left to go abroad you can't now use it until you return to UK. To be used abroad EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network. 

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband or Option 2 for Home Broadband & Home Phone

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP
Northerner
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

Hi @HansD1997 

As per many other threads on the same subject, EE PAYG Sims are designed for the UK market with roaming as a benefit. EE PAYG Sims need to be activated on the UK EE network first.

If you haven't activated the SIM in the UK then it won't work and there is nothing that can be done until you return to the UK and activate the SIM.

Thanks 




To contact EE Customer Services dial 150 From your EE mobile or 0800 956 6000 from any other phone.

EE standard opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm - Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 8pm.

What do you mean by activated? I inserted the sim into the cell phone and it was connected to the network. I just didn't have the package booked.

What do you mean by activated? I inserted the sim into the cell phone and it was connected to the network. I just didn't have the package booked. So i think it is activated?

 

"making calls or texts in UK before you left to go abroad"! You never did!

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband or Option 2 for Home Broadband & Home Phone

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP

@HansD1997 , you should have made a chargeable call or text first before going abroad, putting the SIM card in the UK and it shows as having network is not enough.

Out of interest is it showing any network in Germany? Did you receive a welcome message? 

To contact EE customer service dial 150 from your mobile phone or ring customer service for free using web based app or another phone: +44 800 079 8586 or +44 800 956 6000.

Yes, I have received a welcome message. I also received a text message when I booked the package and the roaming package.

 

@HansD1997 , then it should work, as you received the welcome message, you would also have signal. Whereabouts in Germany are you? Which network are you connected to? You could also try a manual search for a network. I have never had a problem connecting and getting a signal when there.

To contact EE customer service dial 150 from your mobile phone or ring customer service for free using web based app or another phone: +44 800 079 8586 or +44 800 956 6000.

You needed to initiate a connection while in UK by calling or texting. An incoming text is not a direct connection.

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

To phone EE CS: Dial Freephone +44 800 079 8586 - Option 1 for Mobile Phone & Mobile Broadband or Option 2 for Home Broadband & Home Phone

ISPs: 1999: Freeserve 48K Dial-Up > 2005: Wanadoo 1 Meg BB > 2007: Orange 2 Meg BB > 2008: Orange 8 Meg LLU > 2010: Orange 16 Meg LLU > 2011: Orange 20 Meg WBC > 2014: EE 20 Meg WBC > 2020: EE 40 Meg FTTC > 2022:EE 80 Meg FTTC SoGEA > 2025 EE 150 Meg FTTP