S23 Ultra data roaming issue

[ericisme]

My galaxy S23 Ultra's data roaming is always hanging when i'm overseas (Malaysia and currently in Thailand) although mobile network to overseas telco is able to register successfully. I couldn't send any messages on social media, download media, not even google search. Basically data doesn't work. 

But when i switch between mobile networks by scanning and choosing manually. I merely managed to get some data traffic and it hangs again! My friends using other phone brand/model with the same local telco as me have their data roaming working fine. 

I couldn't find any similar issue on google thus asking here if anyone using Galaxy S23 Ultra facing the same issue and any resolution to this annoying problem? I've tried restarting phone, resetting network settings, OS is updated but can't resolve. Please help me :( 

[Laker86]

I face similar problem before. But, it seems to be working fine after restart

[ericisme]

Thanks for sharing, unfortunately mine after restart still only gets some messages sent before it stops working again. Only affecting the data but not smses and calls

[JP19]

Hi, could it be that Samsung reception is weak overseas? Sorry just my guess. About 5 months ago, my Z Fold 3 couldn't even connect to 5G in Japan, whereas my parents' iPhone are able to connect to 5G most of the time. Btw, we were using Ubigi.

[ericisme]

Hi hi, appreciate your reply, i am beginning to suspect its samsung phone issue. i just returned from bangkok and was able to connect and obtain 5G signal for AIS, TRUE-H and Dtac networks. Previously in Johor bahru, Malaysia also able to obtain 5G signals from Digi, Celcom. All of them are supported partners with my local telco (starhub) but the data just hangs within 5seconds, i did check the network signal to be at least 3 bars. My friends using iphones with the same telco had the same problem when we reached bangkok, but the problem is solved after restarting their phone, that didn't work for me.

[JP19]

Yeah.. looks like the network frequencies for Samsung Singapore's phones are not fully supported by overseas' telcos. That could be the reason why our phones' network speed are fast in Singapore, but not necessarily fast in countries like Malaysia and Thailand.

After reading the part where u mentioned switching between mobile networks manually and the data traffic starts to speed up again, I think your Samsung phone is trying to connect to the telco that has frequencies matching with ur phone, but the reception is not strong hence no connection.

[ericisme]

Oh i didn't go into that technical aspect but you could be right. If that's the case then there's nothing we can do, do you think purchasing that country's local data simcards will have the same results? I don't want to resort to bringing a portable 4g wifi device which is pretty troublesome.

[JP19]

I just googled the network frequencies band that Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand support. Seems like only 4G is more compatible, whereas the 5G frequency band used in Singapore and Thailand is different.

Normally, it would be cheaper to buy their local sim cards, however these days, it's more viable to purchase eSIM from online shopping platforms. Usually, these eSIM are from Hong Kong or China and uses data roaming to connect to respective country's telco. There may be some who experience issues with connection, but connecting to different telco should solve the problem.

[ericisme]

Thanks for searching! Oh i also tried disabling 5G network connections and connect via 4G but same issue. Will definitely check out eSIM options. Thank you very much for your advise. 🙏🏻

[JP19]

No problem. 😉 Yeah u can try out eSIM and see if it's better. The advantage is that u don't have to keep removing ur sim card tray. Once the duration expires, u can delete the eSIM.