Unable to access services abroad. EU and non EU

[Ukstripeu]

Hi

has an issue earlier this year where I was unable to access services in Norway - tech support thought it was all solved 

im now in Egypt and unable to even send texts to 150. 

causing me big issues as 2FA texts not coming through. 

only option I can think of is an eSIM reinstall but , of course , I can’t do that from here. 

I can’t contact tech support as I have no ability to text or call. 

any suggestions?

[Chris_B]

@Ukstripeu   Did you after the last away trip and before this trip text ROAMING to 150 ?   

[bristolian]

Fundamental to using your phone abroad is having access to foreign networks. That unlocks the ability to use calls, texts & mobile data.

Were you able to roam on your last trip abroad? By that, and and to avoid doubt - were you able to make or receive calls, send or receive texts, or use mobile data?

Once enabled, roaming is only disabled if you explicitly request it so. The first check of any "I can't use my phone abroad" should be to manually cycle through each local network and connect to each one in turn.

Deleting an eSIM abroad is a bad idea - if you do so, you should expect to be offline until your return to the UK.

[Ukstripeu]

Yup - all settings were correct. No spend cap etc. even EE tech couldnt work out the issue

[Ukstripeu]

Aware of all that. I can access networks ( currently connected to Orange Egypt) but unable to do anything. 
nearly got me arrested today when I couldn’t authorise a payment as no access to 2FA. 
can’t afford this crap every time I go abroad so will probably terminate contract on return and go back to previous provider. 

[bristolian]

Unclear why lack of being able to pay for goods/services should cause an issue with being arrested, but having alternate means of payment for in-person payments seems a simple solution. Do tell the tale!

Users on this forum can only advise based on the detail provided. You mention "Even EE couldn't work out the issue" - so what did they advise by means of solution? Or did they just figuratively shrug their shoulders? The latter is a poor show if so : The correct outcome is to follow their technical escalation process which ultimately means raising a single user fault for investigation by support engineers.

Swapping between local networks is a good test of whether any issues are being caused locally or at EE's end.

[Northerner]

Hi @Ukstripeu 

It may be that the network you're on doesn't allow it.  People seem to assume they can text and use services they use in the UK in other countries but this is not the case and some services and apps are banned, blocked by the local network in accordance with the laws of that country.

2FA text are not supported in many countries and it is recommended you use authentication apps but even these maybe banned in some countries. 

Thanks 

[Ukstripeu]

5 networks available here ( and 2 when I was away earlier in the year). 

i think the final response I had from ee was something to the effect of “ hopefully it won’t happen again). 

i can’t even start the technical process as i can’t even contact them - at least last time i was able to use my wife’s phone- although their systems kept dropping that connection and i ended up talking to half a dozen different people in the space of a couple of hours. ( and my wife’s phone was also ee )

[Ukstripeu]

2FA was just an example of the problems being caused. I can’t even send any texts, make any calls, nada. 

and have tried on multiple local networks

[Ukstripeu]

PS. being unable to pay a hotel bill in Egypt because I can’t receive the text asking me to approve the suspicious transaction. 

that tends to get frowned on over here

👈