How Do I Keep My UK Number When I Live Abroad?
2021-09-09 21:11:37

If you live abroad and have a UK phone number attached to a UK SIM for calls and text messages, you'll want to know how to keep your number

How Do I Keep My UK Number When I Live Abroad?

And how will Brexit affect my mobile phone charges?

If you live abroad and have a UK phone number attached to a UK SIM for calls and text messages, you'll want to know how to keep your number after Brexit and also might be worried about how this affects your mobile phone charges. Most UK operators will consider you 'permanently roaming' and you could be charged at a different, much higher rate than you are used to. You are also likely to be charged for incoming calls.

Charges are dependent on your location and you can expect to pay between £1 and £1.50 per minute for your calls (both inbound and outbound), and typically £1 per text sent. All providers vary and so it is best to double-check with them to ensure you understand their charges.


Say Goodbye To Roaming Costs

You might be wondering if there is a cheaper and better way to manage your calls overseas. The DropCall365 app offers a really convenient solution that ensures that you get to keep your UK number. The app is simple to use and offers clear call quality using mobile data, extensively tested in countries all over the world.

You can get set up in just a few simple steps. Firstly, you need to contact your existing provider to request a mobile PAC code. We’ll then port your number to our network and link it to our app. Once your number has been activated on our network, you’ll need to choose from one of our low-cost calling packages. You are then good to go and can use the DropCall365 app on any smartphone for any incoming and outgoing calls and texts, anywhere in the world, using a WiFi connection.

No Access to WiFi? Use A Local SIM

With DropCall365, you also have the option to switch your SIM card to get access to cheap local data. Our service stays the same and you just continue to make and receive calls and texts from your number as normal.

Need To Get Text Verification Codes From Your UK Bank?

If you are using your UK mobile number for bank text verification messages (such as ‘one time passwords’ or OTPs) we would strongly recommend that you first purchase one of our guaranteed SMS numbers which work for UK bank verifications. 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. Our guaranteed SMS numbers provide this, however, once your original UK number is freed from its SIM card, some banks will filter the messages and you won't receive them.

To find out more about the difference between a virtual mobile number and a guaranteed SMS mobile number, take a look at our helpdesk article which gives a bit more detail: Guaranteed SMS vs Virtual Number