Texting abroad
Beats a message in a bottle
Text is a great way to keep in touch when you're gadding about other parts of the world. Especially because, while it'll cost you to receive calls abroad, it's always free to receive texts.
Can I send and receive text messages?
If you're heading to a popular holiday destination, you'll probably be able to text message on all networks.
But if you're going somewhere a bit more unusual, it's a good idea to check which networks support text before you go (don't forget to note them down).
When you arrive, make sure your phone is connected to one of these networks. You'll know which network you're on because you'll get a text message that tells you. Change to another network in your mobile settings if necessary.
If you plan on sending lots of texts while you're away, you may save if you buy a roaming text bundle.
What about texting people on foreign networks when I'm home?
You can text friends abroad, as long as they have a UK mobile, they're a customer of one of our overseas network partners, or a customer of one of the networks listed below.
| Country | Network |
|---|---|
| Hong-Kong | China Motion Telecom (HK) |
| Sim2Travel | |
| Trident Telecom Ventures | |
| India | BTA Cellcom LTD Madhya Pradesh |
| Escotel-Haryana | |
| Escotel-Kerala | |
| Escotel-UP(W) | |
| Essar Sterling Cellular | |
| Reliance Telecom | |
| Reliance(Bhubaneshwar-Orissa Circle) | |
| Reliance(Dhanbad-Bihar Circle) | |
| Reliance(Durgapur-WB Circle) | |
| Reliance(Guwahati-Assam Circle) | |
| Reliance(North-East Circle) | |
| Reliance(Simla-HP Circle) | |
| TATA TELESERVICES LTD | |
| Israel | Pelephone Israel |
| Ivory Coast | Atlantique Cellulaire CIV |
| Korea | KT Freetel |
| LG Telecom | |
| Shinsegi Telecom | |
| Lao | Lao Telecommunications |
| Lesotho | Econet Ezi-Cel |
| Vodacom Lesotho | |
| Liberia | Atlantique Wireless |
| Lonestar Cell | |
| Madagascar | SMM(Antaris) |
| Mexico | Iusacell |
| Unefone | |
| Monaco | Mednet |
| Mongolia | Skytel Mongolia |
