Call barring on outgoing calls is stopping me using roaming in Israel.

[XRaySpeX]

Did you receive a Welcome text upon arrival?

Are you on contract or PAYG? Had you used that SIM for making calls or texts in UK before leaving to go abroad?

If you are on contract, did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before leaving UK by texting ROAMING to 150? Having a roaming billing add-on doesn't of itself activate roaming on your a/c. Having roaming activated on your EE a/c, not just on your device, is crucial to using your contract SIM abroad.

Often just rebooting the phone is the simple remedy. Also try selecting a network manually rather than auto.

Otherwise if you are on contract you need to call CS to get your roaming activated. Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. using a web-calling app over WiFi.

[Ade1963]

Hi - thanks for your reply.

On arrival I received a text from EE saying I would need to buy a roaming package (calls and internet ) for £25 per week which I did. I disabled "automatic search for network" on my phone and selected the Cellcom network. I have enabled roaming on my phone and it is enabled on my EE account too ( I checked through the EE app this morning). I contacted EE prior to leaving the UK for roaming information on my monthly contract and I've done what they suggested. Unfortunately I can't call EE to ask further advice as the phone is barring outgoings calls. I'll try and download an app allowing phone calls so I can call the number in your signature. Do you know if I can receive incoming calls from the UK or will those be barred too?

Thanks for your advice.

[bristolian]

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@Ade1963 wrote:

I have enabled roaming on my phone and it is enabled on my EE account too

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All you have enabled on your phone is "data roaming" - this allows the use of mobile data whilst already roaming. Roaming itself is an account setting. I wouldn't be entirely convinced about your check on the myEE app, but if you have received a welcome text message, that's a good indicator.

What specifically makes you think outgoing calls are barred?

Can you call in-country numbers? Can you call UK numbers? What happens when you try either?

Try manually connecting to an alternative local network - are the symptoms the same?

[Ade1963]

Thanks for your reply.

When I make an outgoing call to the UK there is a recorded message which says call barring us activated and telling me to deactivate it. However there is no "barring" option in the phone settings (Motorola Edge 60 pro). I haven't tried to phone within the country as yet. So far I have tried 2 networks - Cellcom and Pelephone, but I get the same message with each. I'll try and find a random Israeli number to call to see if its just a problem calling the UK.

Thank you

[bristolian]

Thanks for the clarity. It would be interesting to know whether that announcement was in a local accent or UK one, but all the same - if two networks behave the same way, it points to an account issue.

It's not at all uncommon to have roaming enabled but international calls barred, your symptoms are consistent with that - and if so, the only resolution is to contact EE-CS via another means. Live chat via the myEE app can be another method.

[Ade1963 · Accepted solution]

Thanks to all of you for helping me...

The recorded message I received was in Hebrew and then English.

As I couldn't make or receive calls, I downloaded the app Yolla and charged it up with cash in order to call EE, who put me through to technical support. They confirmed that there was indeed call barring on the account, removed it and now I'm able to make and receive calls both from within Israel and the UK.

Thanks again everyone for your help and support 🙏