Hello all.

I got to NYC yesterday and my phone automatically switched to T-mobile 4G USA and instantly started working for data. I got a few iMessages and emails arrive.

At this point I didn't choose a bundle, normally EE make you choose a bundle before roaming data can be used.

24 hours later and I'm still using T-Mobile for data without a bundle.

What's going on and will I be charged?

Can you check the My EE app?

You are running the risk of a big bill!

It says no information avaliable.

I know that however, EE state that it's not possible to use roaming data without a bundle and Therefore, cannot charge me.

I've used 90mg of roaming data so far without a bundle.

I had the same thing happen to me in The Netherlands last year, although it was
about four hours before EE's system realised, and redirected me to the 'Buy Data' page. I deliberately didn't take the piss, and only used a few hundred k. I honestly don't
trust EE, when they say it's impossible to be charged without an add on. The EE ap
often brings up the details of someone completely different when I'm roaming too.

Treat the muppets with extreme caution is my advice.

Yeah, I was going to say the same - you are brave using so much data. If you are on a legacy orange contract your bill could already be over £500.

Are you sure that doesn't just apply to the EU?

You're supposed to get directed to an EE landing page, if you attempt to use data anywhere in the world I think. Outside of the EU the charges are ludicrous anyway,
switch off data roaming, and only use WiFi would be my advice

Even if they were charging for data, unless you've specifically opted out, there's still the protection of the mandatory €50 worldwide data roaming charge cap so a large bill is unlikely.

Is that a Worldwide cap, or just 'unsolicited data' consumed in EU states ?

I'd be stopping right about now, unless EE have some news to release shortly..

Worldwide. The only exception that can apply is if you use non terrestrial networks such as on ships and planes although I think the networks generally include them in the cap too.

I'm an EE 4G customer and an Extra plan.

After some testing, if I switxh to another network, AT&T for example, it directs me to buy a data add-on.

However, when I manually switch back to TM data just works.

Back in July I was in DC and bought a 1GB bundle but then I had my iPhone 5s that would only roam on AT&T data didn't work without add-on

So I just called EE (at £1pm) and they told me that it's not possible to be charged, they don't even have a tariff for per MB charging, he left a note on my account saying that I will not be charged for any data used while roaming outside of a bundle and told me to enjoy and not to worry.

He said it could be that 4G roaming is new and the systems are not fully setup for billing yet.

When I go to the add bundle page I get an error but it works on AT&T and offers me a bundle.

I had the same on T-Mobile USA on 4G in North Carolina just before Christmas. I was surprised and only got the EE "buy an add on" page after hitting a 3G signal.

I wasn't charged for the (about 50meg) of data I used before buying the 7 day add on.

My family on the 500mb plan with EE were unable to access 4G on T-mobile, but I'm on the 10gb plan. We are all SIM only.

Similar experience here, away before xmas, had the EE 4G 100GB payg sim and was able to use data in the USA, only worked a couple of hours before being redirected to buy an add on though. Seems their billing system isnt that great.

I'm on the same tariff and can use free data on both 3G and 4G no problem. It's fantastic.

Well, seeing as EE don't seem over worried about users getting a few hours 'leakage' free data, then the foreign networks can't be charging them much for it then, otherwise
I'm sure they'd make the effort to tighten things up.

Roaming Data must be marked up about 1000% I assume !!

Agreed, it's always been the case. Other than admin charges I can't see why they charge so much.

Anyway, I've been using this for a good few days and plan to for he rest of my holiday in NYC.

Have you tried http://www.whatismyip.com/ from your phone to see where the internet thinks you are? You should in the UK when using cellular data roaming, which is how the EE system can intercept.

I suspect if you manually disable 4G on your phone, you'll get T-Mobile 3G and it will prompt for you to buy a data bundle.

It could be a 4G roaming error, as the USA wasn't on the 4G roaming countries web page when I last found it (EE website is hard to find things on).

It's showing that I'm in London, Lewisham. That's not far from where I live.

However, even then it drops to 3G or Edge I still get data out here.

How bizarre!

UPDATE:

So according to my roaming data count for Feb, I used 2.6GB of roaming data without buying a roaming data add-on. My bill has just been produced and I have zero roaming data charges.

Wow. Unless EE have a new relationship with T-mobile USA - then EE have paid for that to T-mobile, and not charged you. I would assume a bill is on its way in the next 3 months

Did you actually use that amount, and if so, what on ?!!

I actually called EE and they told me no matter what, I will not be charged as I didn't have a data bundle and noted my account to say that I called and will not be charged and any changes will be refunded. He said they simply don't have a billing system that can bill outside of a bundle. Happy days.

It wasn't just my phone, my friends too on EE all worked fine out there on T-Mobile.

I used it for maps, downloaded some apps and music for the trip.