Texting and calling from Denmark to the UK.

[Rangatang]

I have just installed a new payg sim card in my phone. I live in Denmark. My phone will not text or call to the UK and I do not know why. O2 have not helped as they tell me I have to call them. I am using a Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra.

Any ideas why I'm not able to communicate with UK phones?

[jonsie]

You need to add credit to activate the sim

If you have done this already there may be a roaming bar on the sim

If so

You'll need to call customer service.
Numbers here

Guide: Coronavirus Community Help and Support 
When it comes to the reason you are calling stay silent for 15 seconds and you will be taken to the keypad options.
Press 2 for Everything Else
Press 5 for More Options
Press 7 for Anything Else which will put you though to someone.
Say "Upgrade", "Lost/Stolen" or "Fraud" if you have to, to get put through to someone.
8.00am is the best time to call if you can.

[Rangatang]

BTW I can receive texts. I have just under £10 left on my balance and I have removed the bolt on about travel calls opt out (or equivalent).

[Rangatang]

The sim has credit, but I cannot call any O2 numbers. I can't even reply to a text they sent me. I'm guessing it must be a phone setting?

[MI5]

@Rangatang 

O2 sim cards are for use in the UK primarily.

Most often they won't activate properly unless connected to O2-UK and continued use abroad will result in higher charges.

[Rangatang]

Thank you for that. I plan to return to the UK, but I need a UK phone to call all the UK people to set up the return (schools, estate agents etc). This sim is supposed to help me connect to the UK. My plan is to set up a contract once I have a phone number and then I can use the pac code.

[MI5]

Understand, but as I said, you need to set up a UK sim in the UK.
It was the same for me when I wanted a French sim card. I had to be in France to activate it but I can now use it occasionally from the UK.

[Rangatang]

Ah OK....so I need to fly to the UK to activate it on its 'home plate' then it will recognise itself as being a UK sim. 

[MI5]

Yes, exactly that @Rangatang