Can't make phone calls abroad

[JuliaB1]

Hi all, I'm abroad (Europe) on holiday, mobile data roaming works but I can't make any usual phonecalls. I need to call a UK landline but am unable to do so. I also can't call the O2 customer services. Please can someone help and share how to make calls? Thank you

[madasaf1sh]

@JuliaB1 

Make sure your number you are calling is prefixed with +44 

202 may not work outside of the UK so you will need to use the contact number in this guide Guide: How to find help & contact O2 

Try connecting to a different network in the country you are in. 

[JuliaB1]

Thank you for your reply - much appreciated!
I'll check the number for +44. Thanks for the link to the guide - super useful to know where to find it. 
(Wasn't able to connect to a different network; there is only one that seems to be available.)

[JuliaB1]

Prefix +44 didn't help; still can't make calls

[JuliaB1]

Have tried Pay As You Go (I'm on a rolling plan) phone number to call from abroad from the guide - the same problem, I can't call

[JuliaB1]

@Dave-O2 please can you help me solve how to make calls from Europe to UK numbers and also within Europe? At the moment I can't call any numbers at all. Data roaming works fine, but no phone calls. I'm unable to contact customer services. I'm of a rolling £15 plan. Thanks 

[MI5]

@JuliaB1 

Your problem will be due to the network you are roaming on only has 4g.

O2 PAYG currently requires a 2g or 3g connection for calls.

See if you can force your phone to 2g in settings, as that may help, or manually search for a network with 3g.

[JuliaB1]

My data roaming works fine. The problem is that I cannot make usual mobile to mobile or mobile to landline phone calls. Any ideas why and what can be done? I'm unable to call the O2 customer services number for that same reason. I can't call anyone, but can use internet. Please can you help? @Dave-O2 

[MI5]

@JuliaB1 

I have explained above.

[Enlli]

As explained there is not much Dave-O2 can do There is no magic button to press.

If the networks have closed down 3G in the country you are visiting then you will need to try 2G to make calls. Your PAYG SIM simply cannot use 4G for calls at the moment, but it will quite happily use 4G for data