Charged for receiving texts abroad (out of Europe)?

[Malo]

Hello all,

I was recently charged for receving text when I was abroad, out of Europe. 

I have 2 sims with O2. 1. business contract and 2. pay monthly contract.

I enquired at O2 shop, who told me that the only way we do not get charged is to keep our phone in Airoplane Mode, and use only when have Wifi connection, when not in Europe.

Does anyone have similar experience?

Does other networks do the same?

Thanks

[Cleoriff]

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@Malo wrote:
I had been to Egypt,,, yes I thought receiving texts is free.

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@MaloThey are free in Eygpt as expected

[jonsie]

It's far more likely to be data charges.

[Malo]

Absolutely right.
I did read it.
I called O2 twice to confirm if i’ll Be charged when i’m Abroad. Both said, yes, I will be and that it’s been like that for a while.
I have been to other Asian countries before and was never charged for receiving texts.
These two, didn’t even want to pass my call to their manager, so that I could clarify.
I even went to O2 shop in Leicester, and enquired. That lady also voiced the same!!!

[MI5]

It’s a shame that no one who works for o2 actually knows anything about o2 or the mobile phone industry at all !

[jonsie]

Whatever happened to training?

[MI5]

[Cleoriff]

Training?? That's a bit rich. 3 O2 employees all saying the op would be charged for receiving a text.

Why are they unable to read the same info posted here?

Beggars belief really...

[jonsie]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

Training?? That's a bit rich. 3 O2 employees all saying the op would be charged for receiving a text.

Why are they unable to read the same info posted here?

Beggars belief really...

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Truly incredible that employees don't now the absolute basics about using a phone abroad.

[Marjo]

Hi @Malo and everyone, just checked on our end as well around this in case we can clarify.

You may be charged for receiving SMS while abroad for 2 possible reasons.

• Receiving the SMS itself would not be chargeable, but if you have O2 Travel (£4.99 per day) and this was the first/only access of the day, you would receive the daily charge. This would also happen if you were to make one call or access data as your first usage of the day.
• The other way you can be charged is if the SMS received is a “Premium rate service” and not a normal SMS from another mobile user. This would also be the case if you were in the UK.

Without looking at your account specifically @Malo we can't tell if this is the case for you, but hoping this sheds some light on when you might get charged for receiving texts abroad.

[Malo]

I have international roaming facility. But the moment you land in any country, you receive a text from the service provider welcoming us to that country and that we will be using their service. At the same time, we also receive text from O2 telling about roaming charges / day etc.
I still cannot understand what you mean by 'Receiving the SMS itself would not be chargeable, but if you have O2 Travel (£4.99 per day) and this was the first/only access of the day, you would receive the daily charge. This would also happen if you were to make one call or access data as your first usage of the day.'
If you or your affiliated foreign mobile company sends us a message, first thing when you land in other country, will I be charged?
I have not sent any message or used any data or received any phone calls (other than Wifi assisted).
Hence was and is the doubt!