Posted 2 days ago

Do I need to switch on roaming to make calls in Spain

I am of a certain age where technology is a bit of a nightmare ! I have a Lebara sim that says I can roam like at home. I do have a smart phone, which is probably smarter than me, but I turn everything off on it has I only use it make phone calls. I do occasionally turn the Wi-Fi on mainly just because I can. My question is ….. I am going to Spain soon where I will need to make phone calls back to the UK and use it to ‘check in online’ hopefully. What do I need to turn on to do this please ? Is it my mobile data or data roaming. Do I do this before leaving the UK or once I arrive in Spain ?
Obviously I don’t want to incur any charges as they should come out of my allowance.

Thank you for being patient with me. Oh to be young again
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  1. redcantona's avatar
    Simple answer is yes. You won't be charged unless you go over your limit.
    bozo007's avatar
    Actually, the roaming switch in a phone only pertains to data. Voice / SMS happens by default unless blocked at an account level.
  2. TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    Just be cautious and only use WiFi networks in places you trust if you need to look at personal accounts, or anything that requires a password
  3. plunet's avatar
    You may find that when roaming you need to format the phone numbers you want to call in international format....

    So if you wanted to call a UK number like
    0712 345 6789

    You might need to change the number when dialling from abroad to be
    +44 712 345 6789

    Replace the initial 0 with +44 or 0044 which is the international prefix and the country code for the UK.

    You can usually get the + with a long press on the zero button
    Tiddler8's avatar
    Author
    Thank you. That is very helpful. I will change all my numbers (about 12 of them !) (edited)
  4. Xippi's avatar
    Just treat the phone as if you were coming to Swansea (unlikely I know) on holiday and not Spain. You can quite literally 'Roam as at home' and 'phone as at home' with your plan. Roaming means basically using your phone when abroad.


    plunet makes a very valid point about putting the UK code in front of your numbers.
    You are phoning from Spain after all so you have to tell the call where to go.

    As above:
    Replace the first 0 of the number (mobile or landline) with +44 or 0044 whichever you prefer. +44 is more usual.

    It's important to realise that altering the numbers in this will have ZERO effect on using these numbers in the UK. I routinely put my UK numbers into my phone using this +44 format.

    Additionally, as Bozo said above, you do not need roaming for phone calls, while offshore, only to use the internet when you are not on WIFI - so it can be on or off, whatever.
    Enjoy your trip to Spain.
    Tiddler8's avatar
    Author
    Thank you this is most helpful. My understanding is I will not need to turn my mobile data or roaming on to call home. Which one will I need to turn on when I need to check in online ? I will not have access to any Wi-Fi (not staying in an hotel).
  5. Wammer's avatar
    I'm currently in Tenerife. Today I called another UK mobile that is also in Tenerife and made a call back to the UK, both with Lebara. It automatically added +44 to the numberes called.
  6. Wammer's avatar
    BTW, I normally turn off mobile data and roaming as soon as I've finished using it. I have 15GB to play with so have left it on, as it only uses data when I'm not connected to wifi.
  7. Bbqueue's avatar
    If you have a family member or friend who can set it up, I'd really recommend whatsapp. My mother is a technophobe and was VERY reluctant at first but now she uses it every day to chat to family member's and friends and doesn't call anywhere near as frequently as she used to.

    I'd say it's ideal for your use as you can just send and get importantly, receive messages that can be picked up at any time, and that includes voice messages so you don't have to type! If you wanted to take a couple of photo's to show people back home to make them suitably jealous while they're stuck with short days and lousy weather, you can send them for free

    It also let's you make phone calls to other people who have WhatsApp and it's all free and uses very little data. You could turn on your data to send and check messages and if you were going to make a point call, connect to WiFi in a cafe/restaurant.

    It's a pretty much foolproof method to keep in touch/"check in" without worrying bit incurring any charges. And because pretty much everyone uses it, if you have any issues while you're away, you'll have no problem finding someone to give you a hand.
    Tiddler8's avatar
    Author
    That’s so kind of you to reply in this way. I do have WhatsApp but didn’t realise I could use it abroad to make calls. I only use it to text messages to people. I might give it a go especially if you are saying I could send photos back home and it not running up expensive bills.
    Thank you.
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