Does Northern Ireland class as Data roaming

[Anonymous]

I have recently visited N.I and have been charged roaming for some calls. I am on o2 monthly contract-obviously I shouldn't have been charged. I now have to find out if I can get a refund. Any body know how to get this or how to stop it happening?

[adamtemp64 · Accepted solution]

only 202 can help re charges

But if in ni you need to set phone to manual network selection and chose o2-uk to prevent it roaming to o2-ie

[Anonymous]

This is handy to know!

I'm off to Belfast/Antrim for a few days later this month and did wonder how the roaming would behave even though its part of the UK.

From reading another thread, it looks as though if you stray too close to the border then the network selection kicks over to O2-IE you just need to be careful, or do as Adamtemp64 stated and set network selection to manual and choose O2-UK.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

If you're in the North then it's classed as being in good ol' Blighty so NOT roaming, but of course enter the South where they have funny money and it's Brits abroad for sure.  When I've been nearing the border you have to keep your eyes open as it's very convenient for a device to drop a UK cell and pick up a Southern one.

Do you recall if you were near the border perhaps..?

Jonty.

[Anonymous]

This is not just a problem in Northern Ireland. There are places on the North West coast of Wales where a phone will pick up an Irish or Manx mobile network. I have had "roaming" charges refunded in the past by O2, but it's easier to lock your phone to your home network.

[Anonymous]

Hi folks, I'm from Belfast so have have had experience of this. Firstly, the guy coming to Belfast and Antrim is absolutely fine. Secondly, I have been burned by roaming charges before being too close to the border! Places like Newry, Warrenpoint, Strabane and Belleek are notorious for it. I didn't kick up too much of a fuss as it was a company phone incurring the charges, but would o2 not align your bill seeing as you were still in the UK?

[Anonymous]

They might as a one off, but they can only see what your sim records as usage, and if it connects to an Eire provider you would be charged roaming. Keep your eye on the network on the top of your phone. If your near the border turn Automatic Network Selection off(if you can). Same can happen at ports due to the strength of ship Transmitters, all in all ringtones(RANN) sound different as well when you roaming

[jonsie]

As said previously, best way to stop this occuring is to switch off auto network selection and seleny manual, opting for O2-UK. Also switch off data roaming and you should incur no extra charges. Sometimes smart phones are too smart!