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Receiving Text Messages outside Roam Free Zone

  • August 18, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 125 views
R
New Contributor

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

    5 replies

    Tyler C
    iD Mobile Employee
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    • Tyler C
    • 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

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    R
    New Contributor
    • ruijunbu
    • Author
    • New Contributor
    • August 19, 2025

    Hi Tyler, thank you so much. RB

      Tyler C
      iD Mobile Employee
      Forum|alt.badge.img+24
      • Tyler C
      • iD Mobile Employee
      • August 19, 2025

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

       

      Thanks,

      Tyler

      Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
      E
      New Contributor
      • edwhow01
      • New Contributor
      • December 16, 2025

      What about using Google messages to receive messages. Will they cost outside the free roaming area?

      Secondly, if I turn off roaming, will I receive text messages at all?

      Gemma M
      iD Mobile Employee
      Forum|alt.badge.img+5
      • Gemma M
      • iD Mobile Employee
      • December 16, 2025

      Hi ​@edwhow01 

       

      Just to let you know, any services used outside of iD Mobile’s roaming destinations will be chargeable.

       

      Regarding roaming, if it’s turned off in your app, you won’t be able to use any iD Mobile services. To avoid any extra charges over your normal monthly line rental, we recommend setting your bill cap to £0.00.

       

      Regards,

       

      Gemma M

      The iD Mobile Social Media Team

      Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.

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