Cannot make Outgoing calls in Ireland

[Logboy]

My O2 PAYG sim has suddenly stopped working in Ireland.  Away for work currently and my personal O2 phone no longer allow outgoing calls.  I get a standard "this service does not allow access to this number" message when trying to dial out.  Same result when trying to call O2 themselves on 4445.  

Also noticed in my Call Settings that "Call Barring" has been enabled but I don't know the barring password to unset this.  

I've no idea what has happened, this used to work fine abroad until recently.

Please advise.   Many thanks

[Logboy]

OK that's interesting thanks.  This switch off must've happened around a month ago then I presume...

Just wondering when you mention 4G not been enabled yet do you mean on my phone itself, or not enabled by O2 yet for their PAYG services?   

[Logboy]

My PAYG never reaches zero due to auto top-ups but I would say I have absolutely exceeded 63 days, yes.

[madasaf1sh]

For Ireland Roaming you are best using Smarty, as they class it as roam at home, if on PAYG

I have no idea why Ireland isn't classed as at home, especially as in NI, your phone can and does connect to either UK Networks or the Irish Networks, but its just a money grab by o2 etc

[pgn]

The perils of working or living close to a national border with another country or territory, @madasaf1sh - like Cyprus (Greek and Turkish) or Corfu (proximity to Albania, I think), for example.

[Logboy]

OK thanks for the tip @madasaf1sh 

I'll look into Smarty as an alternative.  The 63 day rule if enforced is just too restrictive nowadays.

[madasaf1sh]

It has always been there, even prior Brexit, as its in the EU legislation as well.  @Logboy 

If in Eire a lot, do what I used to do and get an Irish (e)sim from Lyca   

Just be glad you are not on other networks who charge per day for use in Eire

[Logboy]

It might have always been there @madasaf1sh but it hasn't been enforced or enabled before.  I've been working here for 13 years and had the same O2 number/service for the last 10 or so without interruption (except maybe a SIM card upgrade at some point) and I've probably been permanently in breach of the 63 day rule over that period. 

It's probably the 3G switch off issue mentioned earlier that could be causing this.  

(yep I've have an Irish SIM, the O2 one is just for calling family/friends back in UK and day to day needs like banking etc)

[Cleoriff]

@Logboy 

in your 13 years of working in Ireland, have you ever returned home? Even just for a weekend?

If so, that would reset the 63 days permitted. Ready to start again when you return to work. 

[madasaf1sh]

I am the same as you @Logboy  been travelling for work and leisure for the past 20 years to Ireland, but have always had a contract sim and a work sim on o2, (the work sim is not bound by the same rules as my personal sim we can roam as long as we want with that one with no data restrictions). 

I do wonder if this is more to stop people using UK PAYG sims permanently in Europe and o2 are cracking down on this.

3G been shut down will still allow you onto 2G where it needs for calls and texts, and 3G was switched off starting in 2023 with Vodafone IE switching off in 2024 although eir are still running a 3G network ( saw this in the outer reaches of Co. Galway).

Coming home for a weekend wont reset it it, as the sim has to be used more in the UK than in Europe..

[Enlli]

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@madasaf1sh wrote:

It has always been there, even prior Brexit, as its in the EU legislation as well.  @Logboy 

If in Eire a lot, do what I used to do and get an Irish (e)sim from Lyca   

Just be glad you are not on other networks who charge per day for use in Eire

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My Voxi SIM has no restrictions other than limiting data to 20GB in any 30 day charge period