RESOLVED - "Compatible (iPhone) data bolt on" required for roaming

[SteveC1]

Twice in the last few years I been unable to use mobile data whilst aboard on my iPhone (whilst it worked fine in the UK before I went away).  I have a SIM-only contract with O2.

On contacting O2 customer service, I am told that need an "iPhone Bolt-on" - see the pertinent entries from the customer service transcript :

"I see that the Bolton which was activated was not an iPhone Bolton however now I have activated the iPhone Bolton on your account and you will be able to use the service and recieved the internet."

"As this is a sim only contract so system did not recognise the handset you're currently using"

It would be nice to see this in MyO2 on o2.co.uk, but I can't see anywhere this is displayed.

(The reason that this has happened multiple times is that I changed my O2 contract between trips, and it seems that the "iPhone Bolt on" has to be applied each time the contract is changed)

Am just posting this here for record, and in case it helps anyone else.

[MI5 Level 94: Supreme]

Something we are aware of here but thanks for posting

If any customer does find themselves abroad in this situation and can't call O2 to correct it, they can change their data apn to "mobile.o2.co.uk" and data will work whilst abroad.

[jonsie Level 91: Illustrious]

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@MI5wrote:

Something we are aware of here but thanks for posting

If any customer does find themselves abroad in this situation and can't call O2 to correct it, they can change their data apn to "mobile.o2.co.uk" and data will work whilst abroad.

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Something that has been fed back many times but trying to get things changed would seem to be nigh on impossible.

[SteveC1]

Thanks - my APN is idata.o2.co.uk at the moment, what's the significance of mobile.o2.co.uk ?


I find it annoying to have to spend time when I am meant to be on holiday contacting O2 customer service - especially as O2 *does* know what type of Mobile I have (it's displayed in MyO2!). Why can't the correct bolt-on be applied automatically ?

[MI5 Level 94: Supreme]

Using the different apn allows a data connection to the wrong data tariff when abroad.
It’s something that we have fed back numerous times but the system defaults to a standard data connection and if missed when setting up the account gives the problem you describe.

[Cleoriff Level 85: Esteemed]

The significance is one works abroad and the other one doesn't. I am sure someone has a more technical explanation @SteveC1 but I agree it's a needless faff and needs sorting.

Edited to add. @MI5 has given the technical explanation...

[Marjo]

Hi @SteveC1, how's your Friday going?  

Thanks a lot for coming to update on the issue you had and how it was solved - very helpful especially for new members who have these issues and are not aware.

We'll include your topic in our feedback that we share with O2 from the community including your comments guys @MI5, @jonsie, @Cleoriff.