roaming Zone 1

[alison098]

hi, 

im traveling to the USA on Saturday and I currently have the add on pack package for zone 1 with the data, calls and text etc... I've been reading up on it this evening and seen comments saying data is alright but can't ring out, I would need my phone to call out over there. I've never been before using my phone just want know if I need back up just incase this package isn't reliable.

thanks for your help 🙂

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

You've hit on a popular misconception here, and one that quite a few threads have failed to address.

All that a billing add-on, roaming pass, or whatever else similar does, is reduce the costs of roaming - in other words, make using your phone on foreign networks, cheaper.

The ability of your phone to connect to foreign networks, make & receive calls, send & receive text messages and use mobile data, is NOT reliant on a billing add-on. It's reliant on the free roaming facility being active on your account/SIM, unlocking access to foreign networks and thus use the facilities which need a mobile network connection.

That is done by texting ROAMING to 150 before leaving the UK. You will always be reliant on the local networks in any country to provide your phone with coverage, but the roaming facility is what enables your EE SIM to connect to them.

[XRaySpeX]

If you are on contract, you may use your usual UK allowances in the EE ROW Zone 1 with up to 50 GB data per billing month if you have more, when you buy the Zone 1 Pass for £5 / day or £25 / week or already have it as an Inclusive Extra or you have an EE Full Works or EE Max Plan. Otherwise you will need to pay the charges or buy roaming add-ons as set out in https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/roaming/roaming-costs/countries/usa.

As  you are on contract, just remember to text ROAMING to 150 before you leave UK to ensure the roaming ability is enabled on your account.