on 16-06-2026 12:11 PM
Hello I have just switched to PAYG while in Australia now I am not receiving any calls from the UK text or calls. When people try and call they get service unavailable. I am also not able to ring out.
I have just topped up and this credit is showing on my account
Really poor EE service as the in app chat has been removed from my account and the only means i can speak with EE is via calling them. Has anyone else had a similar issue?
Thanks
Solved! Go to Solution.
on 16-06-2026 01:00 PM
Hello @matt45678 ,
Welcome to the community,
If you did this whilst abroad, then it will not work, as pay as you go first needs to be activated in the UK, topping up makes no difference.
Chat is only available to customers on mobile contract.
Not poor service, you should have used your SIM card in the UK first, to activate it, you will either have to wait until you return to the UK or send your SIM card back to the UK for someone to make a chargeable call or text and return it to you.
on 16-06-2026 01:00 PM
Hello @matt45678 ,
Welcome to the community,
If you did this whilst abroad, then it will not work, as pay as you go first needs to be activated in the UK, topping up makes no difference.
Chat is only available to customers on mobile contract.
Not poor service, you should have used your SIM card in the UK first, to activate it, you will either have to wait until you return to the UK or send your SIM card back to the UK for someone to make a chargeable call or text and return it to you.
on 16-07-2026 06:59 PM
Having the same issue swapped to pay as you go whilst here in Australia as contract ran out last month and not paying for something I only use for 2FA. Did you manage to get this sorted ? Surely they can activated it on the phone going back to the uk to activated the sim is ridiculous
on 16-07-2026 10:47 PM
@Alexee124 wrote:Having the same issue swapped to pay as you go whilst here in Australia ...Did you manage to get this sorted ? Surely they can activated it on the phone going back to the uk to activated the sim is ridiculous
Why "surely"? And why is it "ridiculous" to have to activate a new SIM in the UK first?
The correct answer has already been given - if you're having the same issue, then you should follow the same advice to resolve.
on 17-07-2026 09:36 AM
on 17-07-2026 11:28 AM
Hi @matt45678
It's correct that your SIM will need to be activated in the UK before you can use it internationally.
If you have a friend or family member who can activate your SIM for you, they can then post the SIM over to you in Australia.
As a temporary measure, you can use Wi-Fi-based options for calls and messages such as WhatsApp.
Chris S