Three mobile help needed

Author
Discussion

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Wednesday 12th June
quotequote all
I have a three mobile, pay monthly (unlimited data etc) and purchased a roaming pass prior to travel.

Since arrriving in France this afternoon, my iPhone 11 has failed to connect to any mobile provider meaning I cannot make or receive calls or texts.

I checked and rechecked all of the settings & removed & reinserted the sim & rebooted etc. any additional suggestions very welcome.
I have accessed Wi-Fi (via McDonald’s) but cannot log into my three account as I cannot receive any texts (for their account security code) and cannot call them either.
I cannot email them as there is no email address for three.

Peed off is an understatement, can I buy a French pay as you go sim and just use that? Off to Italy on Saturday so would need something that would work there too.
Any suggestions very much appreciated

Whataguy

1,035 posts

87 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
If you can log into your 3 account on WiFi, check that roaming is enabled.

Also the 3 helpline chat is good, they have solved issues for me when in Spain.

CAH706

2,013 posts

171 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
I’m not sure how to fix the Three issue if you have checked all settings (especially data roaming). FYI, I was in France last week and my Three network worked very well. It just connected with no further changes needed.

As a possible option you can purchase an airalo esim to add to your iPhone 11 cheaply.

https://www.airalo.com/france-esim

I’ve used these a lot and they have been very good.

Frustrating to spend more money but could fix your issue.

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Whataguy said:
If you can log into your 3 account on WiFi, check that roaming is enabled.

Also the 3 helpline chat is good, they have solved issues for me when in Spain.
Can’t log into the account as they want to send a text code security verification- which I can’t receive.

hellorent

513 posts

70 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Looks like you have tried everything, but try switching on airplane mode then turn phone off then switch it on & turn airplane mode off & see what happens

jeremyc

24,552 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Make sure data roaming is turned on.

Also that the network selection option is set to 'Automatic'.

snuffy

10,472 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
I'm with 3, with a similar package, and last time abroad I bought a daily roaming pass in advance and it worked fine (Android phone).

I've just checked my phone's network settings and data roaming was switched off. I'm sure in my case, that's because it's a new phone, so it would have to be turned on (i.e. it ships with if off by default).

Also, under mobile networks, and the Network Operators, it's set to "Select Automatically". If you don't select that, you have to pick on.

So I'm wondering if a) you have data roaming enabled on your phone and b) Is the network selected to 3, as opposed to automatic ?

I know you have an Iphone, but I'd imagine it has the same options ?

It does sound like it's your phone stopping the connection as opposed to 3.


hellorent

513 posts

70 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
If data roaming was OFF, you would still get calls and texts

snuffy

10,472 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
hellorent said:
If data roaming was OFF, you would still get calls and texts
Only if the network selection was set to automatic. If it was set to 3, it would not be able to log on to another network, so no calls or texts.

hellorent

513 posts

70 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
snuffy said:
Only if the network selection was set to automatic. If it was set to 3, it would not be able to log on to another network, so no calls or texts.
When I have been abroad with smarty (3 mnvo) I still got calls with data roaming accidentally switched off.

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Yep, network selection is automatic.
Roaming on.

jeremyc

24,552 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Three website said:
How do I activate Go Roam?

Go Roam works automatically when you arrive in a Go Roam destination, as long as data roaming is switched on in your device's settings and you have a compatible device with the latest software downloaded. If you’re a Pay As You Go customer, you’ll need to have activated your SIM and made a chargeable event - such as making a call, sending a text or getting online - in the UK first.

When you arrive in your roaming destination, you’ll receive a text confirming the roaming charges costs in that country. To check out the standard international roaming charges for the country you’re visiting, click the ‘Roaming Charges’ link and choose your destination.
Are you a PAYG customer, and if so did you activate the SIM in the UK by making a chargeable event before you left?

Uncle Meat

805 posts

257 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Have you got wifi calling on? You *should* get texts over wifi if you have it turned on.

snuffy

10,472 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
hellorent said:
snuffy said:
Only if the network selection was set to automatic. If it was set to 3, it would not be able to log on to another network, so no calls or texts.
When I have been abroad with smarty (3 mnvo) I still got calls with data roaming accidentally switched off.
Yes, that is what I said: Data and calls/texts use a different transport mechanism, i.e. data roaming does not affect calls and texts.

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
Are you a PAYG customer, and if so did you activate the SIM in the UK by making a chargeable event before you left?
I’m an existing pay monthly customer- I added the roaming pass so I could use my allowances abroad, at at additional cost of 24quid.
Three previously said the roaming would automatically activate once arrived in France (or anywhere else non uk).

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
Uncle Meat said:
Have you got wifi calling on? You *should* get texts over wifi if you have it turned on.
Wi-Fi calling is on, but no texts received.

snuffy

10,472 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
I've just checked my 3 account, and I can't see any options to enable or disable roaming there.

Have you tried sticking your SIM into another phone?

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
I only have the one phone

snuffy

10,472 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
darreni said:
I only have the one phone
So do I. But I was thinking you might be with someone else ?

darreni

Original Poster:

3,999 posts

277 months

Thursday 13th June
quotequote all
No just the one phone.