08-04-2026 04:59 AM - last edited on 08-04-2026 08:09 AM by Lesley_W
Hi EE Team,
I am currently in China and I have signal on my phone, but I am unable to make calls or send SMS. I can only receive messages from EE.
It seems that my roaming services might not be fully enabled or my account may be restricted.
Could you please:
- Check if international roaming is active on my account
- Remove any restrictions if applied
- Confirm if my account is fully active
My number: +44**********
Thank you for your help.
[MOD EDIT - REMOVED PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM THE FORUM]
08-04-2026 06:57 AM
@Ao20 this isn’t customer support it’s a public forum and you’ve just posted your phone number on the Internet for everybody to see around the world. Please see THIS
if you have a signal on your device then roaming is enabled. Are you on contract or PAYG ?
08-04-2026 11:22 AM
Hi, I’m a PAYG customer currently traveling in China.
I have signal on my phone and can receive messages from EE, but I’m unable to send SMS or make any outgoing calls.
Could you please advise what might be causing this and how I can fix it? I really need to use my number while abroad.
Thank you.
08-04-2026 01:37 PM
Hi @Ao20
Welcome to our community.
Is this a number you have been using in the UK before you went to China?
Lesley
08-04-2026 01:42 PM
Hi Lesley,
The SIM card was purchased in the UK and my number was transferred to EE using a PAC code.
However, I have not personally used the SIM in the UK, as it was sent to me in China by a friend.
At the moment, I can receive SMS from EE, but I am unable to send SMS, make calls
08-04-2026 01:47 PM
Do you know if your friend who sent it had used it in the UK before sending it @Ao20 ?
EE SIM's will only work abroad if they have been used on our network in the UK first.
Lesley
08-04-2026 04:42 PM
To be used abroad EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network. If it wasn't you can't now use it until you return to UK.
08-04-2026 09:54 PM