Roaming Tips

Using your Manx Telecom Mobile in the UK and abroad is as simple as using it in the Isle of Man. Provided there is a roaming agreement in place your handset will search out an available network for you. Sometimes you may need to manually select a network - for example, if your handset fails to automatically attach to a network, if the network you are on has poor coverage, or if you require access to a network which has data facilities. You can do this through the 'network settings’ area of your handset’s menu.

Pay Monthly and Pay as You Go have different coverage.

Click on the relevant menu to your left to check that the destination you require is covered.

Making a Call

Please remember to add the correct dialling codes where required – for example, to call an Isle of Man fixed line number you’ll need to dial +44 1624, (+44 7624 for mobile) followed by the six digit local telephone number. For convenience you may want to update your contact numbers in your phone using the full international format so that calls go through automatically when roaming.

Handset Type

Manx Telecom operates over a common European Frequency. All Dual Band Phones operate on both GSM 900 and GSM 1800 MHz

GSM frequency bands used around the world:

850 MHz (In the USA and Canada)
900 MHz (In Africa, Europe, and many parts of Asia and Latin America)
1800 MHz (In Africa, Europe, and Asia and many parts of Latin America)
1900 MHz (In the USA and Canada)

Tri-band phones are mobile phones that support three frequency bands and Quad band phones can work on all four frequencies above.

Having more than one frequency in one device is useful to enable roaming between different countries and continents.

How can I save money when roaming?

We have signiificantly reduced our roaming charges for Pay Monthly customers. Click here for more information. More general hints and tips on how to reduce your roaming charges are included below.

Does Manx Telecom have a roaming agreement with the country I am visiting?

Click here to find a list of destinations and networks. Please use the links on the left to view roaming partners and destinations for Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go.

How much will it cost me to use my phone abroad?

Using the links above, find the zone applicable to the country you are visiting. Check to our Roaming Charges pages for a list of charges for making or receiving a call and sending a text. Roamed charges do not form part of your inclusive monthly bundle of minutes and texts.

Can I use Data when roaming?

Yes you can use your mobile for data service, provided we have an agreement with the country you are visiting. It is important to check the charges before you travel; data is charged according to the roaming zone you are visiting. Also check how your data service is set up to work on your mobile, for example if your mobile is set to automatically poll for email, this may run up large roaming charges. Roamed charges do not form part of your inclusive monthly bundle of data.

Can I check my voicemail abroad?

Yes – but remember that to check your voicemail you will be charged the same as making a call back home. You will also need to dial a different number to check your voicemail - +44 7624 466121. We recommend that while roaming you set up an unconditional divert to voicemail, i.e. your phone doesn't ring, your calls go straight to voicemail. With other diverts, such as calls diverted to voicemail on no reply or busy, you will be charged for the incoming call when someone leaves you a message. Alternatively, you can now access your voicemail online. Click here for more information.

Will I be charged to receive a call?

You will be charged for receiving a call in any country apart from the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands.

Will my phone work when I am abroad?

Most mobile phones are Dual or Tri band. European countries operate over Dual band and the USA and Americas operate over Tri band.

Will my phone automatically pick up a network?

Most phones are set up to automatically pick up a network when roaming. You can however select a network manually via the network settings on your handset.

Roaming on Cruise Ships

We've also set up agreements with some of the most popular cruise lines so you can use your pay monthly mobile at sea. Please check with your cruise provider. Call charges are different from normal roaming charges so please check before you travel.

This service is not available on Pay As You Go Mobile.

How do I top up my Pay As You Go phone when roaming?

You can top up by calling our 24 hour service centre on 154. If you are using your Pay As You Go phone you do not need to use the international dialling code and the call will be free. However, if you use any other phone and call +44 1624 600154 you will be charged for the call. If you are registered for My Account you can arrange an auto top-up or text to top-up before you go away. Click here for more information on auto top-ups and text 2 top-ups.

Will my charger work?

Some chargers work on 240v and are 3 pin plugs. If visiting Europe you will need to purchase a 3 pin to 2 pin converter. The USA work on 110v so you may need to purchase a travel charger.

How can I reduce my Roaming charges generally?

Think ahead, make sure you download what you need before you leave home including any apps, books, films or music.
Use local free, or cheap, Wi-Fi hotspots; these are widely available in hotels, restaurants and airports
Switch off automatic downloading of emails, or email attachments
Disable background data on your android phone; Settings > Accounts & sync > Background data (uncheck). Data is still accessible with this feature disabled, but only by the application you are using at the time.
Some operators have minimum data session charges: it can be more cost effective to only download emails once a day
Sending a text message is cheaper than a 60 second phone call however, charges can build if conducting a conversation via SMS

Remember, by checking charges before you travel and following these handy tips you should be able to keep your holiday mobile costs within budget.