Where's the virtual assistant? Stuck without being able to make phone calls from abroad

[cansel]

I'm trying to contact O2 by email or chat as I am unable to make phobne calls from abroad. I keep getting a message that my call has been restricted. It's disgraceful that there's no virtual assistant or any other way to contact O2 other than by phone. The phone obviously works because I get texts and also has a balance on it (pay as you go) so not sure what could be wrong here

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@cansel 

Some things to try:
Check data roaming is on in phone settings.
Manually search for another network
Turn off 5g
Check your data APN is "mobile.o2.co.uk" (android) or "payandgo.o2.co.uk" (iphone)
Check with O2 whether you have a roaming bar on your account. Do this via social media
If you message O2 on Facebook ( https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter ( https://o2uk.co/O2CTW) or Instagram ( https://o2uk.co/O2CIG) , they should be able to help.

[cansel]

Changed the network provider and I'm taken to O2 top up service when I make a call but my account was showing that I had a balance of £13. I topped up £10 to see what happened and my £13 balance disappeared. Does the amount you top up with expire? Very odd..

[Enlli]

Where are you?

[MI5]

@cansel 

If you're outside of the EU you will be charged £7.20 per mb of data so credit could be consumed very quickly.

Using Your Phone Abroad → O2 Travel Search Tool | O2

[cansel]

Thanks but I have data roaming switched off

[MI5]

You need data off completely @cansel not just roaming.

[cansel]

Got it, thanks