Voicemail charges whilst abroad

[No1SteveB]

I am abroad in Portugal. I have data roaming off - I do not need it. I have had a text from EE staying I have a voicemail from them. So, if I  want to hear a voicemail from EE, that I didn't ask for and (I assume) it's just to tell me what the rates are abroad, I have to pay £2.47  ?!   What a a cheek, if that is the case. It's not a lot to pay..but its the principle..an absolute rip off.  Can someone clarify ?

[Peter_W · Accepted solution]

Good afternoon @No1SteveB.

Welcome back to the Community, and I hope you've been enjoying your time in Portugal so far too. 

The voicemail that's been left here won't necessarily be from us, it's just a generic notification advising you that a message has been left, along with how to get in touch to listen to this. 

Any regulatory information we send on roaming charges will come via text when you land, and this isn't chargeable.

Also just for future reference, disabling data roaming in your phone's settings will only restrict its ability to connect to the internet, but you'll still pick up a local network and be able to receive calls and texts, including voicemail.

The best way to restrict this fully is to send ROAMING to 150 before you travel, where you can disable it at an account level.

Peter

[bristolian]

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@No1SteveB wrote:

I am abroad in Portugal. I have data roaming off - I do not need it.

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Data roaming simply means using mobile data whilst roaming. You can still "voice call roam" or "text message roam" if you want to make/receive calls or send/receive texts whilst roaming.

Receiving texts is free globally. If you want to disable roaming completely, this will prevent your phone connecting to any network other than EE-UK.

[No1SteveB]

Hi Peter

Thanks for the response.  I still feel the EE page on roaming is as clear as mud.

There is no explanation as far as I can see as to any charges that are made inbound to me as the recipient,  if someone calls or texts me.

I.e....

If I receive a call...and answer it...is the daily charge triggered ?

If I receive a call...and don't answer it...am I charged  ?

Likewise,  for texts? 

I note that I can manually stop these and close myself off to the outside world but clearly don't want to do that in case of emergencies. 

Thanks for your patience.

[bristolian]

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@No1SteveB wrote:

If I receive a call...and answer it...is the daily charge triggered ?

If I receive a call...and don't answer it...am I charged  ?

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As per the roaming costs guide..

The daily charge within the EU is triggered by any calls, or sent text messages. Calls are only charged if they are answered, and receiving texts is free globally - mentioned in my previous post.

[No1SteveB]

Thanks...that's the explanation I was looking for...the triggering of the daily charge...

I'm not sure why EE could not explain that better, re the unanswered calls wording.

Aaahh but the sceptic in me says of course they want you to answer....another £2.47, tuck the box.

Thanks  bristolian

[No1SteveB]

Oh and I've just thought....do I assume if I get a text saying I have voicemail...then the call to my voicemail to hear the message, triggers the daily charge ?

[Sorry]

[bristolian]

FYI you have a short time after posting to edit replies, negating the need for multiple short replies.

Receiving text messages is free of charge globally, regardless of the content of that message. An outgoing call to anywhere in the UK/EU will trigger the daily charge, regardless of whom that call is to.

[Katie_B]

Hello @KateBee46. 

Thanks for coming here. 

To turn Voicemail off when you are abroad you will need to give us a call. 

Our customer care team can be contacted from abroad on +44 7953 966 250. 

Katie

[KateBee46]

Thanks.. I was hoping I could do it without paying £2.49 a minute to call someone.
The voicemails only started after I left UK