Using phone abroad

[Ding]

Hi, I have a pay monthly contract which is unlimited calls, texts and 100gb data.

I will be travelling to France next month and just wanted to check a few things.

Is is right that I will be able to make calls back to the UK without it charging me anything? And is there a cap on this, or can I just call as much as I'd like to? 

I understand there is a cap on data at 25gb?

Also, will my partner, who will be here in the UK, be able to call or text me in France without incurring extra charges?

Sorry for all the questions, never used my phone abroad before, so any information would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

[pgn]

@Ding 

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@Ding wrote:

Is is right that I will be able to make calls back to the UK [from France] without it charging me anything?

Yes, for up to 63 days, provided there is no roaming bar on your account, and that your phone is set to use 4G (Volte) Calling:  https://www.o2.co.uk/international/using-your-phone-abroad

And is there a cap on this, or can I just call as much as I'd like to? 

63 days in any 4-month period: https://www.o2.co.uk/termsandconditions/mobile/roamfairuse

I understand there is a cap on data at 25gb?

Yes, up to 25GB per calendar month (billing cycle) for 2 months - after that you have to be back in the UK for 2 months or more before you can go back to France without having to pay for your data and calls abroad.

Also, will my partner, who will be here in the UK, be able to call or text me in France without incurring extra charges?

That is correct, no difference for your partner back in the UK, @Ding 

Sorry for all the questions, never used my phone abroad before, so any information would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

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Guide: Roaming MegaGuide should help with any other questions. Just remember to enable Roaming, and Data Roaming, and 4G Calling on your handset, and to make sure O2 have not automatically applied a Roaming Bar Guide: O2 BARs to your account before you go - via your MyO2 or contact O2 via Social Media using either of the 2 links just below, @Ding 

And be back in the UK before 63 days have elapsed.

Good luck, enjoy the trip.

[Ding]

Thankyou so much for all the information.

Just to double check, I think I have found the 4G calling. It's in Mobile Networks - 4G Calling SIM 1 ? (it was already toggled on) then above that is Data Roaming (this is off) do I need to turn this on when I arrive in France?

I have logged in and checked and there doesn't seem to be anything ticked in the barring section so hopefully should be all OK!

Thankyou

[Cleoriff]

@Ding 

You can turn your data roaming on before you leave the UK. It won't start working until you land in France anyway.

Enjoy your time abroad.

[pgn]

Leave the Data Roaming off until you land in France - having it on whilst travelling, especially by ferry, can sometimes mean your phone picks up a network that is not included in O2's "inclusive" roaming - resulting in unwanted charges (Isle of Man and Channel Island networks are not always free to roam onto, for example).

If your phone is an iPhone, you may need to adjust the APN if O2 have not enabled iData on your account from their side in order to connect fully anywhere outside the UK. If you use an Android phone, you should be all set. You can see that in replies here in the forum if you search for APN or iData, for info.

Hope all works well for you, and that you have an enjoyable and fully connected stay, @Ding.

[Cleoriff]

@Ding 

As you didn't mention travelling by ferry, I presumed you were flying. I used to fly to Spain about 8 times a year, hence my response about turning data roaming on 'before you left the UK'

Obviously if travelling by ferry, it's best to turn your phone off until you dock in France. (in my opinion) 😊