Not receiving OTP codes when abroad (Norway)

[Purpleivan]

I've been in Norway since Wednesday of last week and I'm having no luck in receiving OTP codes here, from companies in the UK.

I first hit problems a couple of days ago when I needed to receive an OTP from my bank (Santader) in the UK. I made 3 requests for a code, but none of the 3 messages got through to me.

At first I thought it might be an issue with my bank, but about 15 mins ago I found I needed one to sign in to the Sainsburys website. The code sent from there also did not arrive.

I tried a potential fix i found online, which was to reset my connection settings and restart the phone, but this didn't work. My phone is a Galaxy S9 and OTP codes from multiple companies, including the two I've had issue with here, without issue when I'm in the UK.

I can confirm that I receive both voice calls and other text message from the UK. The nextwork which my phone connects to over here is Telia.

As I can only test any fixes to this issue while I'm actually in Norway and I don't travel here frequently, any solution would need to be tested before I leave for the airport tomorrow, at about 14:00 (UK time).

Any help with this appreciated.

Ivan

[MI5]

@Purpleivan 

You are at the mercy of the roaming network.

The only thing you can try is manually selecting a different network.

[madasaf1sh]

@Purpleivan 

SMS is not a guaranteed method of communication, and as such if the message leaves the o2 network, it is the job of the roaming network to deliver it.

[Purpleivan]

So basically, once outside the UK (or in it to an extent) all bets are off regarding relying on OTP messages.

I have to admit I much prefer to use an authenticator app for this kind of thing, but unfotunately I don't get decide what companies use for authentication.

[MI5]

@Purpleivan 

Correct in both cases.

Hopefully companies will move to a different type of authentication.

[Enlli]

@Purpleivan Yes banks etc have been warned that OTP is not a secure method of authentication. At least my banks and credit card company have moved away.

With regards to Santander, I've seen complaints about their OTP texts on a number of forums

[MI5]

If they are working OK in UK it has to be a local network issue as I said above.