USA - Roaming with O2

[Chris_K]

Hey all,

Over the past few weeks we've seen that some of our customers have been having issues while roaming in the USA. If you're visiting the USA soon, or have been there recently and experienced issues with making calls, then read on for further details on what the issue is, and what you can do to have as smooth an experience as possible while roaming in the USA.

Calling from the USA

From 2023, you’ll be unable to use your UK mobile phone to make regular calls when visiting the USA because of changes to their mobile networks. However, you’ll be able to use your phone to make calls using the 4G network – provided you have a compatible phone.

Follow the steps listed here to check whether your phone is compatible, or you can find a list of compatible devices if you go here and click the link shown in the screenshot below the most up-to-date compatibility list.

If the device you have isn't compatible with 4G roaming, then you will be unable to make and receive calls when you're roaming in the USA. This down to USA network technology changes rather than anything on our side, or that O2 is in control of.

Roaming costs while in the USA

With our O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt On, you get a daily allowance of 120 calls, 120 minutes and data roaming in 27 additional destinations (our Inclusive Zone) including USA, Australia and New Zealand. You you can find all of the the included destinations here. This Bolt On is included in selected O2 Refresh / Custom Plan tariffs (check your account in My O2 to see what bolt on's you have).

If your tariff doesn't include this, then you can purchase the full O2 Travel Bolt On for £6 a day and get unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and data. Please note this is only available to Pay Monthly customers and is not available on Pay As You Go. For more info on roaming with Pay As You Go, check here.

Roaming and everything else you need to know

In the summer we created an in-depth guide to roaming with O2, including associated costs, destinations and handy tips and tricks on ensuring you have a great experience while roaming. Check the guide out here.

[pgn]

Good, glad you got sorted, @Roy1966 👍🏼

[Cleoriff]

@Chris_K @Dave-O2 

I think the list of compatible phones (for 4G calling) needs updating?

I can't see any of the latest flagship phones from Apple (iPhone 15) or Samsung (Galaxy S23) range on that list? In fact the iPhone 14 and Samsung S22 ranges are also missing?

So a lot of other phones from last 18 months may also need adding to the list of compatible devices?

[pgn]

To reinforce what @Cleoriff writes above, the IMEI on my nearly one year-old Pixel 6a also returns as not able to use this functionality, when clearly it can:   https://www.o2.co.uk/help/network-coverage-and-international/travelling-to-the-usa#3981

Absolute madness, @Dave-O2 😖

[Chris_K]

Hey all,

I will try and get this looked into, but if it helps, part of our requirements for vendors and manufacturers is that we'll only range devices that support 4G if they'll also support 4G & Wifi Calling. So for a while now, probably a couple years or more, every new device we've ranged has been compatible.

I'm only guessing, but as that would represent hundreds of thousands of IMEI's it may be that page is now effectively defunct/legacy, but I'll check around and see what's what, and if we can get it updated or not.

[Cleoriff]

@Chris_K 

I'm not talking about the page which shows IMEI's

I meant the pop up which shows the models of phones. ie.

[pgn]

That popup screen is this one circled here, @Chris_K :

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/network-coverage-and-international/travelling-to-the-usa#3981

[Dave-O2]

Thanks for the extra details @Cleoriff and @pgn 

I'll get this raised and when there is an update, I'll drop a message on this thread 👍

[Dave-O2]

Afternoon @Cleoriff, @pgn 

The eligible devices have now been updated on this topic 👍

This can be seen here

[Enlli]

Well, I have 2 numbers on my dual SIM S23 plus. Neither of which O2 recognise!

[pgn]

Good start, @Dave-O2 - what about these? No mention of the Pixel 6, 7 or recently-released 8-series handsets?

• Google Pixel 5, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 3a