Roaming abroad with PAYG

[Al_T]

I'm abroad for 18 months (Australia and New Zealand). I've received SMS messages listing costs for sending texts and making calls, while over here, but attempts to send messages fail with "Error 38".  Why is this?

Secondly, I'm making regular top ups on my plan because I'm worried about losing it. Your Ts&Cs say topping up should be enough to preserve the plan and that has been reaffirmed elsewhere on the forum. But I've just received another text saying I need to "make a chargeable call/text or use data otherwise you may lose your number and any available credit". It doesn't mention topping up! I'm confused. If topping up is enough why am I still getting these messages? If it isn't, how can I make a chargeable call/send a message when roaming doesn't seem to work?

[Leanne_T]

Hi @Al_T 

This would need to be looked into for you, you can contact us from any phone or VoIP such as Skype.

Leanne.

[Al_T]

What are your Skype contact details?

[bristolian]

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@Al_T wrote:
Thanks for your response. Receiving text messages abroad is a free service
provided by all networks / plans. It's not evidence of an ability to roam
i.e. make/receive calls and send text messages.

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This is a misleading statement. Roaming simply means using your phone on a network other than your own - abroad, in most cases. The services that you use whilst then roaming, is a separate question.

Many users on this forum forget to enable roaming before travelling abroad, this leaves them without service and thus unable to make/receive calls, send/receive text messages or use mobile data.

Enabling roaming unlocks the ability to connect to foreign networks. If you can receive texts abroad, you are connecting to a local network and are thus roaming.

[Leanne_T]

Hi @Al_T 

You can call +44 (0)7953 966 150 or +44 (0)800 956 6000. 

Leanne.

[XRaySpeX]

Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. on Skype over WiFi. It should be free.

[XRaySpeX]

You get that reminder text 60 days after your last chargeable action. 

[Al_T]

I'm sure. Top up was on 25th Feb according to my online a/c (phone app isn't
showing anything, but that may be because they've just updated it) and
reminder text was on Monday 13.5.2024. So 11 weeks or 77 days.