Can send text but cannot receive texts to and from a foreign mobile phone

[W_Webster]

Hello,

Since November 2023 I switched from EE to O2. I received a new Sim, but was able to keep the same number. My number is an ordinary 07 mobile phone number.

Since then I found out that I can receive texts from my sister, who lives in the Netherlands with a Dutch Mobile Phone provider (a 06 mobile phone number), but I cannot send her texts at all. She cannot receive them, despite saying at my end that the text is sent (and charged!). However, I can phone my sister, and she can phone me.

I have a International bolt on and a spend cap on my phone for International Calls and texts.

I tried to phone my technically issue to O2, but the nice lady and I were not able to resolve the problem at the time.

My international texts were perfectly fine with EE, but as soon as I switched to O2 I have problems with the International texts. National texts and phone calls work fine too. 

Before I phone again for help, is O2 Tech able to check my settings, and perhaps do a diagnostics at their end? I think the settings on my phone work fine. I truly start to believe that something in the connection towards foreign mobile phones is off, but then, I am not technical enough in Mobile phones.

I cannot check with other foreign mobile phones if they have the same problems, though, which is a shame. For now, I am going to assume that this problem is with all mobile phone numbers (in the Netherlands at least).

I thank you in advance for your kind help.

[MI5]

@W_Webster 

Ask your sister to check that she hasn't accidentally blocked your number or marked as spam in message settings.

You can also use WhatsApp to call and text for free if you both use the app.

Guide: Text Message Tips (not sent or received) 

[W_Webster]

Hello M15,

My apologies. I forgot to put the details of what I have done to solve the problem myself. 

I indeed already asked my sister to check if I am on her blocked list, and I am not. So that is off the table.

I also proposed that my sister is to use WhatsApp, but she doesn't want to do this as she doesn't trust the security (her choice not mine). That goes for most other "messenger" systems as well, alas.

Do you have any other tips I might be able to try?

I hope I can find another victim soon with a foreign mobile phone number I can test the texting on. But for now - in theory - I am going to pretend it is all foreign (Dutch) mobile numbers that display this problem. Also, because it happened so suddenly (basically days after the switch), and because I have not been able to find a solution for it yet.

Many thanks again for thinking along with M15.

[MI5]

@W_Webster 

I can only suggest your sister speaks to her network to see if they can trace the message coming in to them and then see where it's going.

Is she also aware that some phones have separate blocked lists for calls and texts?

[Enlli]

WhatsApp is far more secure than standard text messages

[W_Webster]

Hello M15,

Many thanks for your advice. I shall pass on your suggestions. I cannot say if my sister's phone has separate blocked lists or not, but I shall ask, of course. 

Perhaps my sister's provider can do something about this issue.

Thank you so much for your advice, M15.

Thanks for your advice, M15.

[MI5]

Good luck @W_Webster 

Let us know how it goes please.

[MI5]

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@Enlli wrote:

WhatsApp is far more secure than standard text messages

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In theory although we don't know for sure how much of our data is being mined by Meta

[gmarkj]

Would a spend cap be interfering with this @W_Webster @MI5 ?

[MI5]

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@gmarkj wrote:

Would a spend cap be interfering with this @W_Webster @MI5 ?

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It would appear not.

 She cannot receive them, despite saying at my end that the text is sent (and charged!). However, I can phone my sister, and she can phone me.