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Receiving Text Messages outside Roam Free Zone

  • August 18, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 58 views

Dear Sirs

I have got a question about iD mobile receiving SMS in a country outside the roam free zone like China. Is it free to receive SMS in China? More importantly, will it be considered as roaming and hence incur roaming surcharges?

The table below taken from iD official website says that “Texts to China” costs 60p per SMS, but it is not entirely clearly whether this “Texts to China” actually means “receiving texts in China” or “texting someone in China”.

Hope some expert can give an authoritative answer to my question.

Many thanks indeed.

RB

 

Roaming Pay monthly Pay-as-you-go****
Calls to UK* £2.40 £2.40
Calls to China* £2.40 £2.40
Calls received* £2.40 £2.40
Texts to China** £0.60 £0.60
Texts to UK** £0.60 £0.60
Picture message (MMS) sent** £0.60 £0.60
Internet and Data (per MB)*** £1.50 £1.50

 

Best answer by Tyler C

Hey there ​@ruijunbu, you would be charged to receive texts in China also, at the same costs as shown above for sending texts. So you will need to ensure roaming is on and your bill cap is high enough to allow the texts to come through.

 

Thanks,

Tyler

3 replies

Tyler C
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • Answer
  • August 19, 2025

Hey there ​@ruijunbu, you would be charged to receive texts in China also, at the same costs as shown above for sending texts. So you will need to ensure roaming is on and your bill cap is high enough to allow the texts to come through.

 

Thanks,

Tyler


  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • August 19, 2025

Hi Tyler, thank you so much. RB


Tyler C
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • August 19, 2025

Hey there ​@ruijunbu, no problem at all, glad I could help!

 

Thanks,

Tyler