Plusnet Mobile roaming fails. It's not usable

andy2017

So I switched from EE to Plusnet because Plusnet states in writing on their website that they provide roaming at no extra charge in many countries in Europe.

They actually don't.

I was in Germany, and all they have there is the old Edge network (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) from about 20 years ago.  I think it uses tin cans and strings.  Well it felt like that, anyway.  It was not usuable for getting directions, or choosing restaurants, or anything really.  It would always time out or disconnect before obtaining results.  I have screen grabs to prove this. (Yes, I have roaming enabled, I checked settings, etc. etc. etc.)

I just entered into a 12-month contract, I kept my end of the contract, they did not.  They state in writing they offer this roaming in Europe but for all intents and purposes they do not.  Do I have any recourse?

Andy

simax

No. They offered a calls, texts and data service. Your experience may not be the same as others and may have been down to technical issues etc. There is usually a caveat in the terms to state that roaming cannot be guaranteed.

eDicky

Sometimes it's necessary to use manual network selection when roaming if the automatic selection is not good enough. When activated in the settings, most phones after searching will list the available networks and their 2G, 3G, 4G connections. If you try every 3G and 4G shown as available and none of them are allowed, your complaint is valid.

andy2017

I tried all available networks. None worked.  Also:  this same phone worked previously when I was EE.  I only moved because Plusnet stated they offer free roaming in many European countries. 

How can we find out if Plusnet made a deal with European carriers to only use the Edge frequency?  Plusnet may have gotten a cheaper price this way.  But it's not fit for purpose.

simax

If you had a connection via EDGE, then you were supplied with a data service. Admittedly it would have been at dial-up speed, but it would have been a data service nonetheless….

alanwsg

Try the Plusnet mobile forums,
I think you'll find you're not alone....

https://community.plus.net/t5/Mobile-Tech-Help/Roaming-in-Germany-Only-2G-No-4G-available/td-p/1852650

https://community.plus.net/t5/Mobile-Tech-Help/Unable-to-access-4G-services-whilst-roaming/td-p/1860515

Jon_01

alanwsg said:

Try the Plusnet mobile forums,
I think you'll find you're not alone....

https://community.plus.net/t5/Mobile-Tech-Help/Roaming-in-Germany-Only-2G-No-4G-available/td-p/1852650

https://community.plus.net/t5/Mobile-Tech-Help/Unable-to-access-4G-services-whilst-roaming/td-p/1860515

Looks like the EU networks are allocating the bare minimum bandwidth to UK roamers.
 

flaneurs_lobster

Sort-of relevant, Asda mobile claim 5G available when roaming in (parts of) Eire, Germany, Italy & Spain. No post-Brexit roaming charge increases either. https://mobile.asda.com/roaming-calling-abroad