Mobile Roaming: Cheapest Calls When You're Abroad

KayMM1234

Hi experts!


I am going on a nine month trip and would like to keep my phone (with my current number) with me -mainly for emergencies. I will mainly use wifi to keep in touch with home. I don't mind paying a monthly fee- even if I don't use the data/calls.


I called EE and they said that my sim will stop working after 30 days of being outside the UK.


Is this the case with most UK operators? Does anyone know a solution where I can keep my number and roam for 9 months? EE suggested I buy a worldwide sim but with these I don't seem to able to keep my number?


Any help much appreciated!


Many thanks


Kay

eDicky

KayMM1234 wrote: »

I called EE and they said that my sim will stop working after 30 days of being outside the UK.

This is pretty hard to believe, perhaps a misunderstanding somehow. Do you have an EE contract or PAYG? It could only be true with PAYG, but still unlikely.

You could take the cheapest monthly SIM only contract on another network, port your number over and as long as the bill is paid it should continue, regardless of where you roam...

Ian011

KayMM1234 wrote: »

EE suggested I buy a worldwide SIM but with these I don't seem to able to keep my number?

Many of these 'worldwide SIM' deals use telephone numbers allocated in Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man. This is why you cannot port a UK mainland mobile number over to these deals.

Additionally, as the new number is allocated offshore, calls and texts to your new number would not be included in call and text allowances from mainland UK registered landline and mobile phones.

KayMM1234

Thanks! Do you know of any worldwide sims where your number can be ported?

Thanks!:)

augusto

KayMM1234 wrote: »

Thanks! Do you know of any worldwide sims where your number can be ported?

Thanks!:)

Hi KaMM1234! Did you find a world wide provider that allows to port your number?

tallscottishguy

Recently, I made quite a few calls and texted a Norway mobile phone (EEA) and very few to an Oman mobile phone whilst trying to get together with friends in Hyde Park at a concert. Not being familiar with international mobile phones and not having an international bundle, I didn't realise I was going to more than double my July phone bill.

Virgin Mobile explained and emailed a statement containing far more entries for the Norwegian than I expected. Pocket dialling perhaps. It was rather a lot of £0.30 charges and a couple of £0.90 on the statement.

Ofcom explained that I couldn't call international mobile numbers or landlines whether in the UK or Europe or EEA unless I had an international bundle as roaming is dependent upon the features in the home package you have chosen.

So, then I read Money Savings Expert which says you can call any EU mobile or landline free under "Roam At Home" from the EU but ironically, unless you have an international bundle, you won't be able to call from the UK.

I would let it go if it wasn't for the fact that I am about to go on a trip to The Hague and Belgium and would like to be confident. I also have overseas trips planned for next year. Will probably phone Virgin mobile.

I think there needs to be clearer information. It suits the Mobile Network Providers to have confusion as that creates revenue. I think there should be a campaign to further simplify the system so that all calls made from the UK are included as part of the package to avoid confusion or these calls ought to be blocked or a text msg warning of costly charges being applied.

Can anyone in a position of knowledge clarify and confirm whether I have got this right or not? Are Ofcom or MSE correct?

WhatsApp covers most things if you have WiFi.

Ian011

Your home country is defined by the telephone number allocated to your SIM card.

Roaming is using your phone outside of that home country.

If your number is one that is allocated in an EU or EEA member state or territory and you are roaming in some other EU or EEA member state or territory, calls and texts to landline and mobile numbers allocated in your home country, in the country you are roaming in, and in all other EU and EEA member states and territories are charged on exactly the same basis as whatever you already pay for calls and texts to landline and mobile numbers allocated in your home country while you are using your phone in your home country.

The regulations do not cover roaming outside of the EU or EEA, nor do they cover using your phone in your home country. The regulations cover roaming (using your phone outside of your home country) in EU and EEA member states and territories and making calls and sending texts to landline and mobile numbers allocated in all EU and EEA member states and territories.

eDicky

tallscottishguy wrote: »

Can anyone in a position of knowledge clarify and confirm whether I have got this right or not? Are Ofcom or MSE correct?

For roaming in the Netherlands and Belgium etc, rely on the new regulations themselves (with which Virgin Mobile comply), not on OFCOM staff's comprehension of them:

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/telecoms-internet/mobile-roaming-costs/index_en.htm

When you are in the UK (ie not roaming) and you call any non-UK number, regardless of where that phone is located, it is an international call and you will incur the international call charge (if any) applicable to whatever tariff or bundle you are using.

raduv86

Hi all, thought I share this information with you, I used an dedicated DATA Mobile SIM card while abroad in EU and non-EU countries and I was very satisfied with the service, same SIM in any country. Did saved me money.
Name for this sim card is Poginet.

mrcamp

And you are not associated with Poginet?

raduv86 wrote: »

Hi all, thought I share this information with you, I used an dedicated DATA Mobile SIM card while abroad in EU and non-EU countries and I was very satisfied with the service, same SIM in any country. Did saved me money.
Name for this sim card is Poginet.