10 years ago I bought a phone in England that came with 40 minutes of calls. However I was unable to call any toll-free numbers. It worked fine for regular numbers but none for toll-free. I never found out why.
I'm considering a plan from eSIM.net that includes voice calls. I assume that should work for toll-free, but that's what I assumed for the England phone too and it wasn't true.
Anyone have experience with this situation?
Thanks.
What toll-free numbers? Back to the US or a free number in the UK?
the UK mobile (cell phone) market has changed a lot in a decade.
could you please be more specific.
from which country to "toll free" numbers in which country?
which proposed e-sim(s)?
do ypu want to use a British e-sim in Italy or an Italian one? or one from home?
I was in England trying to call England toll-free numbers. It happened 3 or 4 times.
One that I remember was AutoEurope. There was a hassle with our car rental and I had AutoEurope's toll-free number for England, but my phone would not complete the call. It was a decade ago so I don't remember the error message, but it happened each of the few times I tried. Yet I could call "regular" numbers no problem.
The eSIM that I'm looking at is from eSIM.net. The plan says:
EE Europe Travel
A definition for that last line:
A KYC (Know Your Customer) or eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) check for an eSIM is a digital identity verification process. It requires you to submit a government-issued photo ID (like a passport or national ID) and sometimes a live selfie to prove who you are before your mobile plan or local phone number can be activated.
Why eSIMs Require KYCLocal Laws: Many countries legally require mobile network operators to tie every active cellular line to a verified real person to prevent fraud and crime.
Phone Numbers vs. Data: Standard data-only travel eSIMs rarely need KYC. However, plans that include a local phone number, voice calling, and SMS usually mandate a KYC check.
Yes, I don't understand the KYC situation. It seems like most of the eSIM "install before you go" options do not require KYC. TIM's downloadable eSIM does though; they apparently do it through video verification online. But if you go into a phone store in Italy for an eSIM, you have to go through the verification. It's a no-brainer that if someone has something to hide they'd just do the remote eSIM. So it seems like a very flimsy check.
I wasnt making any comment. I didnt know what it was so I googled it and thought others might be interested.
China? I'd have thought calls to US/Canada/Mexico would be preferred
I guess you mean what in Italy they call "numero verde"? phone numbers starting by 800?
You can try to call them and see if it works, if not usualy call centers have also public a regular phone number that is mean to be used for people calling from abroad (EG if you wanted to call the center from another country), and that is a regular landline usually, so you will surely have no trouble calling the regular landline numbers.
If you need to be bale to call specific call centers (for example the rental car one) I'd suggest you prepare in advance and search for the numbers before traveling, something google them requires time and patience, and if you are in a situation where you are in need you likely want to have them handy.
