Can't receive international SMS

[Sergey]

For some reason I don't receive international SMS. Particularly from Russia. The funny thing that my correspondents receive my SMS but I don't receive from them. Is it known issue? Does somebody experience the same?

[Sergey]

It turns that this is common issue with VZW. I and my coworkers have switched to VZW and all face this issue with not receiving SMS from abroad. We can't receive messages from abroad but sending is OK. Confirmed countries is Russia, India and Taiwan. But I'm pretty sure that it is true for any countries.  The carriers are listed on VZW International Messaging site page as supported. We have company phones. The ability to receive SMS from abroad is important for business. Does somebody from VZW read this forum? Any comments or suggestions? We all have Droid 3 phones. 

[pctower]

I have the same problem with Ukraine. I can send sms but not receive. Did not have problem when I was using Blackberry and vzw. Swithched to Android 2 global, and now have the problem. Nothing changed with the phone my friend in Ukraine was using. We tried a second phone of a family member of hers and it could not sms to me either. Have talked to Verizon about this and they have been of no assistance.

[#4]

Pctower, I can appreciate the inconvenience you are having with international text messaging. Text messaging is a vital form of communication especially with people in foreign lands. Since you have switched phones, have you been able to receive international text messages from any one else in any other country? Do you have trouble receiving domestic text messages? Are you having any other device issues?

Have you tried to reprogram your phone? If not here are the steps to do so: dial *228 hit send> choose option 1.

An alternative option would be to program your blackberry on the account> test with the Ukraine> then reprogram with Droid 2> then retest with Ukraine and Droid 2.

You can program the phone by going here; http://support.verizonwireless.com/clc/profile/

You will see "activate new phone." Click on the link and follow the steps.

Taking these measures will resolve your issue. I hope this helps.

Thanks.

SammuelP_VZW

VZW Support

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[ChristinaB_VZW]

Hi Sergey,

Sending international texts to Russia requies a specific dialing pattern. Since you are having success in sending messages to Russia, I'm sure you are aware that sending a message to this country requires the following dialing pattern:

011+7+10 digit number

The person sending a message to you may not be using the correct dialing pattern. For the correct information, they should contact their wireless carrier, as they may be using an incorrect dialing pattern. I am sorry but I do not have the information for a customer of a carrier who is abroad and how they would send text messages to you. I have references on how you (or other Verizon Wireless customers) would send an international message from a Verizon Wireless phone. 

Some countries have restrictions on the ability to send an international message as well. Even though they are receiving your messages, they may not be able to send a message to the US. 

Please advise the parties that you are sending to that they should check with their wireless carrier, to see if they have the ability to send to a US number. They should also make sure that the dialing pattern they are using is correct. 

Here is a link to our international website, for future reference. 

http://www.vzw.com/international

I hope this information is helpful and addresses your concerns about international messaging. 

[Sergey]

Hi,

My correspondents use +1(xxx)xxx-xxxx dialing pattern since they are on GSM network. I don't believe that something is wrong from their side since when we were on AT&T we had no issues with receiving SMSes from them. It becomes issue after we have switched to VZW. One of my coworkers is still on AT&T (not switched yet) and he is able to receive SMS from the same people.

[TominqueBo_VZW]

Hello Sergey,

I do understand receiving text is very important.  Have you ever received international sms from the friends/family you are referring to?  Is this intermittent or constant.  If you are still experiencing this please PM me with your name, mobile number, the international number(s) and the numbers of the other Droid 3 users so I may further assist.  Thank you.      

[WalterChen]

I can't receive message from Taiwan, too. I am using Motorola Droid, and my friend is using HTC.
It's okay to send out the message, but none of reply get to me.

I can msg by Tmobile or ATT, but not by Verizon. Please advise. 

[damini]

same issue here - for more than a year now! can you look up my #??

thanks

[SSareen]

I upgraded to iPhone in June and since then I can't send or receive texts to India or Dubai. I had no problem with my Blackberry with the same carrier. Called Tech support and was told that Apple knows about the problem and they are working on it. It is very frustrating.

[Stellina]

I am having this same problem. I can't receive international text messages or SMS from Italy, but my Italian friends receive my text messages fine. I was on the phone with Verizon for a week as they set up a "trouble ticket". Verizon had called me back to say the issue was resolved. My friends in Italy still can't send me messages even after this. They are all using Vodafone and Wind which are supported carriers. I used to have the Razr phone by Motorola and it worked fine, I could always send AND receive. I switched to the "LG Acolade" phone and now upgraded to Pantech Android and I can't receive anything. Very very frustrating and I am considering changing services because of this. eerrggh..

[Afritalian]

I'm having the opposite problem...i can receive text messages from my family in italy, but they don't get mine! WTF???

[JayeC]

I'm having the same issue.

I had Tmobile and I was able to text people all over the world, e.g. Sweden, England, Russia.  I have no issues with US text messages.

I got a Droid X about 2 years ago.  That was the last time I was able to receive international text.  I was extremely frustrated when I went to Europe and had to buy another temporary phone.

I recently updated to a Droid Razr Maxx, thinking this will fix the problem.  It hasn't.  I'm considering returning the phone and finding a better company. 

I need to be able to text internationally for my business, so it's shocking to me that Verizon has such a problem.

[04SBMM]

+ 1...?

I have the same issue.  The party on the receiving end can receive a text from me...but I cannot receive a text back from said party.  Also I cannot send a text with a attachment (picture).  I had AT&T and had no issues, other than the fact that they were a little more expensive.  I am Seriously considering switching back to AT&T if this cannot be resolved quickly as I use texting as an intermediary for conducting business.  Telefonica O2 is the participating Mobile service in Slovakia with Verizon. However, I must be honest, I have never heard of them.  Is there anything that can be done?  What is a time frame for rectifying this issue.  If I am not given a reasonable answer soon I will bring my business elsewhere.  With this number of people bringing this issue to light as of  Aug 9, 2011 8:00 PM (Posted by Sergey) and Obviously earlier (and im sure there are more people that have not spoken up), it just shows that, yet another large corporation does not give a damn about customer service. 

* I now have a iPhone4S

[fontanka]

Verizon only allows you to receive text messages from "approved" carriers. MTS is supported, but Megafone or Be-Line are NOT. The workaround is to create a Google Voice number (free) and redirect text messages from there to your cell. Have you friends text to that number.  You will receive your texts, but will not see the contact name, just their phone number.  If anyone has another workaround - please do share!

[Sergey]

Now Megafon is not listed as "approved" but it was listed when I wrote original post. I think Verizon don't want or can't fix this issue and just removed those carriers from the list.

[fontanka]

They just assured me that if i switch on their international support plan

that will solve the problem (it did not!) Their main argument that since

they can receive my messages, then the carrier is supported, even not

listed. they credited me 35 sign up fee as if that helps!.. The good news

is that my iPhone5 is not locked, and has a slot for a t-mobile prepaid

card, or something like that. The other workaround i described though

google Voice and that one is free. 

<< Email address removed to comply with >>

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

[Yur]

Sergey, I had the same problem, but the solution for my case is the "+" sign before the number. So, the US number looks like +15551112222. Apparently the "+" sign is essential. This is for outgoing messages through MTS provider in Russia.

[truckeetinker]

2013.01.14 - Absolutely ridiculous.  At http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/global/international-long-distance-and-messaging.html?country=hu... Verizon publishes text messaging is supported with Telenor Hungary.  Multiple tests to colleages confirm they are able to receive, they send responses, butI I never get them.  After escalating to tier 2 support, the answer was, "We only support one way messaging".  To the question is the Verizon network equiped and provisioned to accept messages from Telenor, the answer was "No".  To the question is there any plan to support receipt of text messages the answer was "No".  Are you kidding me?  Its like saying "Sure we'll give you telephone service to XyZZy.  You'll be able to talk, and they'll be able to hear you, but you won't be able to hear them."   I am soooooooooooooooooo disappointed I just renewed a two year agreement.  It will be the last with Verizon.  I'm going back to T-Mobile who I used to have, and who definately understands the definition of a conversation as a two-way activity.

My advise?  Go to http://www.fcc.gov/complaints and file a formal complaint.  Then switch to T-Mobile.