International texting problems

[Anonymous]

Hi all
I've got a slightly strange problem. Two people in the States are trying to get in touch with me. One (who is on T-Mobile) can't call or text. When she calls, she gets a busy signal (which I definitely wasn't and had signal). When sends texts, she gets a delivery confirmation but it doesn't appear on my phone.
The other can text, but can't call (but I'm not sure what network she's on).
On the advice of O2, I've tried two different phones, replaced the SIM card and removed all call redirects. International calling options are all enabled on my account.
Both people are able to contact other people in the UK without problems. I can call and text them without issue.
Does anyone have any ideas? I've read a few sites via Google which seem to suggest O2's much promoted international calling reputation isn't actually as good as they say it is. But unfortunately, O2 were quite quickly out of options to fix this for me. For one of the people trying to contact me, it turns out I've been missing texts from all across this last year.
With thanks in advance -
schnide

[Anonymous]

If you give O2 the date and time of one of the calls/texts and details of the sender's provider. Then they can check to see if the messages/calls entered O2's system.
I've heard of this happening before and the problem was with the middleman that carries the call/text from sender's network to receiver's network. This is especially the case with the US and Canada where interconnect and routing are complicated.
For example, T-Mobile US would see the text leaving their system and so tell you to contact O2. O2 wouldn't be able to see anything and so would tell you to contact T-Mobile US.
In my experience the best solution is for the US person to call their provider, explain that they believe there is a problem with the routing to the UK. (say something like 'the call is placed but does not arrive at the recipients network'). Give them the date/time of the call/text and your mobile number.
Before you do, check that you haven't accidentally blocked their number.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help on this - still no joy though..
Both O2 (UK) and T-Mobile (US) continue to say it's not their fault 😞

[Anonymous]

if you asked the specific questions I mentioned then its something else. Assuming it isn't 'user error' then that means the intermediary. So contact them, explain that the calls and texts have been traced 'leaving' T-Mobile US but nothing is entering O2's network. Tell them the call is going astray in-between and ask for it to be investigated.

[Anonymous]

Will do, thanks for your help. Even when O2 customer services have put me on hold to talk to technical, actually investigating it wasn't offered, but I'll push for it.

[Anonymous]

If there is a roaming issue then its normally very noticable, other issues can be that roaming partners can have dodgy data at their end, this is why traces can be done to see if the calls have passed onto the distant network (there could be one or more interlinking network providers between T mob USA and O2 UK that carry the traffic), it just depends on where its routed to.

[Anonymous]

I have this problem too, I can't receive texts or calls from my friend who is on Verizon.
He has spoken to Verizon and they have said that they can see the text reach the server and then get sent.
I have spoken to o2 and they said that it is not a problem this end as my friend is able to receive my texts ok!
I really don't know what to do as this seems to be an o2 problem but they won't hold their hands up.

[Anonymous]

As Tony and myself said, if both providers say that they can see nothing wrong then the fault lies with the interconnect provider. See the posts above.

[Anonymous]

On the advice of o2 I deleted the Message Centre number and re entered it again and this has worked for me.
Pay Monthly +447802000332
Pay & Go +447802092035
Make sure you have the + in front of the 44 otherwise it won't work.
Hope this helps for you.

[Anonymous]

I'm having the same problem:  I can send texts to friends in New York.  Their reply texts never reach me.  My phone is an iPhone 4.  Apple Store says the problem is most likely T-Mobile and suggest trying to get another number from AT&T.  I'm only in New York 10 days and didn't bargain on this problem.  It didn't occur last time I was in the USA.