No connection after trip abroad

Hello @sarunas we're happy to help with getting you connected once you return from your trip abroad.

If your device is having trouble connecting to the AT&T network we encourage you to reset your network settings to establish connectivity. You can do this by going to Settings>Network>Network settings>Reset. This will help refresh your devices signal to connect to a tower near you. In addition, here are a few more troubleshooting steps to get you connected. 

I don't think this is an acceptable solution. While traveling, connecting to other networks never presents a problem — connection is always fully automatic, with no need whatsoever for even going into settings. It's only when back in USA, that connecting back to a native(!) AT&T, connection fails. There should be no need for SIM card removal/reinsertion acrobatics nor for network reset.

We understand how important it is to stay connected @sarunas.

Resetting network settings on your device returns all your network settings to their default state, wiping out any previously set preferences and configurations set while out of the country. Any Wi-Fi, VPN, or cellular settings go back to the default. After the reset, you should automatically reconnect to the AT&T network. 

• Check out ways to reset your device if you are experiencing issues on our AT&T wireless support page. Select your devices Make and Model, and follow the prompts for the common fix to any network disruptions. 

If you have tried the steps above and are still unable to connect to the network, we can meet in a DM to go over a few more troubleshooting steps. Thank you for reaching back out to the AT&T Community Forums. 

Alasani, AT&T Community Specialist

I'm able to connect, however, resetting network settings just to connect back to AT&T should be totally unnecessary (and is an annoying, counterintuitive hassle), given the SIM card is that from AT&T, when connecting to any other foreign network remains seamless. This is a problem with AT&T network and that's where it needs to be fixed, not by users resetting their phones, which is ridiculous!!!

Thank you for the update, and we value your feedback @sarunas. 

AT&T is constantly improving and enabling our network to better accommodate next generation technologies and services. We're happy to hear that you are able to connect to the network.

Moving forward if you continue to have disruptions with connecting to the network when returning from out of the country, we encourage you to replace your SIM card as an option to resolve your experience. 

• A new SIM card can help with your connectivity and It identifies and connects you to a wireless network. 

In addition, if you have additional questions we're happy to help. Thank you again for contacting AT&T Community Forums.

Alasani, AT&T Community Specialist 

For your info, my SIM card was replaced just about a year ago. Yet, connecting back is still a nuisance.

So, after a couple of trips to Europe, the connection problem still persists on both of our family phones. Land in Lisbon, Amsterdam, Copenhagen — all works instantly with european networks, data, roaming etc. Land back in Boston, no connencitvity, emergency calls only. Shut the phone down, fiddle with SIM removal, turn the phone on, turn off, reinsert the SIM, turn on and, with some luck (not always!!!!) ATT cellular will reconnect. This is beyond ridiculous. We have been with ATT for over 15 years. Looks like time for a change.

I completely agree with Sarunas. This has now become a real issue and I am now about to switch to Google Fi or even go to Verizon. Entirely unacceptable to charge as much as ATT does, only to provide worse connectivity service than developing world countries where service costs 1/20 of what ATT charges

Same issue for me returning from France to the USA.  Thanks sarunas and hneilsauer for confirming it's not just me.  Before I go through all the steps detailed by sarunas above of removing the SIM card and more, has there been some other resolution to this issue by AT&T?

I'm not aware of any “resolution” from AT&T or indeed any reaction or comment from AT&T itself.

Last week we landed in BOS after a 10 days on Vodafone in Lisbon (no issues at all) and had to reset network settings to reconnect mobile data back to AT&T, SIM card and service of which I'm paying for. Sadly not much of a mobile service alternative in this rural location in N.H.