Roaming doesn’t work (not able to connect to local network provider)
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29-01-2025 12:15 AM - edited 29-01-2025 12:23 AM
Hi,
I’m on holidays in Malaysia at the moment but my SIM is not able to connect to local network provider. It used to connect to local network provider and will send me text explaining the roaming charges but it doesn’t do that anymore…
there are 2 potential issues that I can think of causing that.
1. I forget to pay the bill and I’m late for 1 week. I have since settle the bill. So I’m wonder my account been locked or suspended?
2. I added an eSIM from Airalo so I have internet access in Malaysia
Anyone able to help to diagnose this? I wont able to call EE. Is there an online chat? I’m pay monthly user, last connect to UK network should be 24/01/2025
Thanks,
Chee Yong
Solved! See the answer below or view the solution in context.
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29-01-2025 12:19 AM
As you are on contract, did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before you left 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. on Skype over WiFi. It should be free.
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
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29-01-2025 12:19 AM
As you are on contract, did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before you left 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. on Skype over WiFi. It should be free.
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
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29-01-2025 12:41 AM
No, I didn’t activate roaming before I leave UK as I don’t I need to receive text on my UK number…that’s why I use Airola for data only in Malaysia. I will give them a call using Skype. Thanks
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29-01-2025 01:39 AM
Well, you must want to connect to local network provider for some reason. Else what's the point?
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
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29-01-2025 08:49 AM
@cyteh84 wrote:
I’m on holidays in Malaysia at the moment but my SIM is not able to connect to local network provider. It used to connect to local network provider and will send me text explaining the roaming charges but it doesn’t do that anymore…
If you've roamed previously on this SIM, then unless you've specifically asked to remove roaming from it - it should still be active.
Adding an eSIM to your phone should have no effect on any existing SIM (e or p) on your phone, beyond having to select which SIM is "primary" for voice, text & data.
Have you tried manually selecting each local Malaysian network in turn?

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