How to stop UK mobile number being disconnected while abroad travelling for 6+ months?
I'm from the UK going on a long trip on which I'll be using local SIM cards for my phone. While I won't be using my UK mobile number during this trip, I want it still to be there when I get back, to avoid the inconvenience of memorising a new number, getting all family friends and contacts to store the new number, etc etc.
I've heard that UK mobile phone providers will permanently, irreversibly cancel a UK mobile number if it is not used for "a few" months, and that their policies all vary widely - e.g. some require an actual connected phone call while others allow missed calls or text messages, with some it's three months, others it's vague and undefined, etc.
No phone shop staff seem to know what these policies are other than that they exist, and nor do call centre staff. If they are published on mobile network provider websites, I can't find them.
What can people do when travelling for long periods like this to stop their numbers being turned off?
Best Answer
If you have a monthly bill, just keep paying the bill. If you have a pay-as-you-go plan, top up your credit every month or three.
Put the UK SIM card in every once in a while and make a 2-second call. Won't you want to check your voice messages every now and then?
Above all, read your service agreement and/or call your mobile provider's service center to find out what their actual policy is.
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How do I keep my UK number when going abroad?
There is no need to change phone, SIM or network operator if you need a UK mobile number while living abroad. The Swytch app lets users have multiple mobile numbers on their existing mobile phone, all of which can be used for both incoming and outgoing calls.How do I keep my phone number when I leave the country?
All you need is a high-speed Internet connection ( WiFi or a local data plan) \u2013 this means that you can get a local SIM card in the country where you have moved to and retain your US phone number in it. You will need to invest in a credible VoIP service provider to port your phone number seamlessly.How do I keep my SIM active while abroad?
How do I keep my UK number?
Notify your bank of your new number, then port your original number to our network for calls and SMS. We recommend this because some banks will only send verification messages to numbers attached to a SIM card.How To Keep Your Phone Number While Traveling or Living Abroad in 2022 ? #DigitalNomad #RemoteJob
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Answer 2
Leave your old sim card with someone at home. Ask him to boot with it once a fortnight, perhaps checking for critical messages. He can also help set up call forwarding for you after you get your travel number.
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