Receiving SMS whilst roaming USA

[Alpachal]

Hi, I'm traveling to the USA from the 3rd of April to the 21st of April.

My options for roaming would be £25 for seven days access. £75 for my total trip is unfortunately out of my budget, so I was going to get an E SIM and make WhatsApp calls or messages or use data.

My only issue is that I'm expecting text messages from my doctors while I'm away. Does anyone know if I'll still be able to receive those messages without having to pay for the roaming pass?

Any help much appreciated

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

To receive text messages requires a mobile network connection, which means you will need to roam - have your phone connected to a foreign network.

Usage of that foreign network for receiving texts is free globally. Making or receiving calls, and sending texts, will incur charges. If you don't have a billing add-on, you'll be charged per minute or per message - as per https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/roaming/roaming-costs > USA > Pay-monthly. Using apps for calls will only work between users of that app.

Make sure you have contingencies in your budget for unforeseen circumstances, it sounds uncomfortably tight. It won't take much usage for the weekly pass to become very cost-effective, and the lack of one a false economy.

[Alpachal]

Thanks for your reply. I do understand where you're coming from with it being a false economy, but for me, £75  just seems a bit excessive just to ensure that I receive those messages. Aside from the SMS's from the doctors, WhatsApp has been fine in the past for my needs and a £25 esim. Again, thank you for your information and reply

[ukms]

Thats a perfectly practical and common way to travel, I've done similar many times myself when travelling in countries not included in my plan. 

Make sure you have roaming enabled by EE. You just need to make sure 100% that you have your roaming data turned off (it shouldn't work anyway without the add-on) and that you don't make or answer calls or respond to texts. WhatsApp calling, FaceTime etc will work perfectly well on your data esim. 

[XRaySpeX]

You may receive texts free worldwide even when you don't have any roaming pass. You will not incur any charges as long as you don't do anything else.

As you are on contract, just remember to text ROAMING to 150 before you leave UK to ensure the roaming ability is enabled on your account.