Network Selection in Spain

[aml1]

I cannot select any other network other than Vodafone ES which has no coverage where we stay. previously with old contract and paying for Eurotraveller my phone would pick the strongest network available, now all other networks are listedas "forbidden" . spoken with Vodafone technical help but they can offer no help only says contract should allow it but they can't test because I am not on a network.

Can anyone help solve this for me.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @aml1

Can you try a soft reboot by turning the phone Off and On. 

Also as a process of elimination to rule out the phone or sim card that may be at issue can you try your Sim Card in another phone. 

Below in my attached picture are the roaming partners I believe in Spain.

[amh13]

The roaming partners listed on that website haven't been updated. Under Italy, where I am staying at the moment, TIM is listed as a partner for 2g, 3g and 4g, however in reality you can connect only to Vodafone and Wind. This has been confirmed to me by customer services too.

I think Vodafone has cut back on the number of roaming partners in many countries.

[BandOfBrothers]

I hope this is resolved asap for you then. 

Unfortunately as Vodafone U.K. Have no direct access / control over a foreign network connection isn't guaranteed. 

[aml1]

I have tried soft reboot and unfortunately do not have access to another phone that will take my sim and no change. I can see all those Networks mentioned but all except Vodafone ES have "Forbidden" next to them and won't let me connect  to them whereas my on my old contract I could. Unfortunately Vodafone ES network has  virtually non existent coverage where we stay

[BandOfBrothers]

Is your phone unlocked to all networks so that you could use a local SIM card in the interim. 

[donnyguy]

I first noticed this years ago whilst in Greece. At the time, vodafone GR never offered great coverage in my house and the phone wouldn't let me manually roam onto COSMOTE or WIND. I raised at the time with Vodafone but never got confirmation whether it was deliberate or not.

However time has since moved on and now vf GR offer full coverage in my area both 3G and 4G so never needed to not use them.

But back on point, all networks do this to some extent. When I left Vodafone in April, I noticed on my next trip to Greece that I was stuck with using COSMOTE who gave me 2 bars in the house. I manually tried to roam onto vf GR and that was blocked.

So I don't think any network actually offers fully unrestricted access to all networks in a destination.

[PedroC1999]

Even if a network did offer access to all networks in a foreign country, they'd use aggressive steering. I have a foreign SIM that roams on all UK networks, but it typically finds its back to one of them.