I noticed that the SIM cards keep changing every so often.
The new SIM cards have a smaller gold-metal surface area, whereas the older ones have a bigger gold-metal surface area.
Any ideas why?
Is there any benefit to swap out your SIM card to the newest? The SIM that comes in the box has a smaller gold-surface area.
(When was using previously using the iphone, my SIM was pretty beat up from switching phones all the time and the gold-metal part practically had indentations, which did give me reception problems. When I swapped it out with a new one at the store it did fix the problem. Obviously a surface contact problem.)
* Picture attached below *
iunlock said:
I noticed that the SIM cards keep changing every so often.
The new SIM cards have a smaller gold-metal surface area, whereas the older ones have a bigger gold-metal surface area.
Any ideas why?
Is there any benefit to swap out your SIM card to the newest? The SIM that comes in the box has a smaller gold-surface area.
(When was using previously using the iphone, my SIM was pretty beat up from switching phones all the time and the gold-metal part practically had indentations, which did give me reception problems. When I swapped it out with a new one at the store it did fix the problem. Obviously a surface contact problem.)
* Picture attached below *
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the pic.
I did have a weird situation where replacing the sim actually somehow increased my data speeds...the old sim was only a year old ...but i ain't complaining
didn't really notice any less surface area tho
newspeak said:
I did have a weird situation where replacing the sim actually somehow increased my data speeds...the old sim was only a year old ...but i ain't complaining
didn't really notice any less surface area tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting....hmmm....now I'm really curious haha...
I swapped out my 1 year old SIM as well and now im getting 3G signals in my house whereas my old sim would drop 3G service more often.
Idk I change sim cards for all my phones since g1 since there's nothing on it ever since using google contacts
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
There is typically no need to replace your sim card unless you are having problems with it (ie not registering on the network.)
However older sim cards have a restriction on how many times they can register on the network, and after they hit the limit the phone will stop connecting, so if you want to prevent this issue (usually takes a couple years, and is a lot more likely in areas where your signal drops, for people who travel a lot, and in 3G coverages areas where you swap back and forth between 3G and 2G) you can use one of the newer sim cards. To Identify whether your sim is the newer variant with no registration restriction look at the back where the gold contacts are, if its a newer sim it will say in small lettering "TMXXXX" (where X is a number, ie TM4322) and it will also have an expiration date printed (it must be activated by this date or it becomes unusable.)
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Having had said that, if you are having connection issues it could just be a defective sim card, to check, just place the sim in a phone that isn't having any connectivity problems, if it starts having problems, replace your sim.
In terms of the digit you highlighted in that picture, I believe it has to do with the manufacture year, although if I remember correctly its digits 4 and 5 that make up that information, but otherwise isn't anything important to a consumer.
well i got curious and checked ....i have the bigger sim ...i don't think the numbers matter much
Aphotix said:
There is typically no need to replace your sim card unless you are having problems with it (ie not registering on the network.)
However older sim cards have a restriction on how many times they can register on the network, and after they hit the limit the phone will stop connecting, so if you want to prevent this issue (usually takes a couple years, and is a lot more likely in areas where your signal drops, for people who travel a lot, and in 3G coverages areas where you swap back and forth between 3G and 2G) you can use one of the newer sim cards. To Identify whether your sim is the newer variant with no registration restriction look at the back where the gold contacts are, if its a newer sim it will say in small lettering "TMXXXX" (where X is a number, ie TM4322) and it will also have an expiration date printed (it must be activated by this date or it becomes unusable.)
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Having had said that, if you are having connection issues it could just be a defective sim card, to check, just place the sim in a phone that isn't having any connectivity problems, if it starts having problems, replace your sim.
In terms of the digit you highlighted in that picture, I believe it has to do with the manufacture year, although if I remember correctly its digits 4 and 5 that make up that information, but otherwise isn't anything important to a consumer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input.
As for the exp. date, where is that located. I don't see it.
Aphotix said:
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought...until a lot of people started noticing better 3g connection/speeds with the new sim cards. Just a placebo effect perhaps?
The size difference could also be for users who want to make it a micro sim so they can put it in their unlocked iPhones. I don't have either of these sim cards to compare, so I'm not sure.
hmm.. the sim im using is almost 8 years old. its been moved from phone to phone so many times there are wear marks on the contacts. still works fine though.
When I first got my g1 a few years ago I had issues with the market. There were apps that I knew were available (private apps) but I could not download them. I went to a T-Mobile store and looked at the display phones. One of them was able to see private apps, the other like mine, could not. I talked it over with the rep and we decided to replace the sim card. It was a random, no other ideas, decision. Started the G1 back up and Market was now working as expected. There were no other benefits noticed. Since then, I tend to replace the sim anytime a new phone is purchased.
Your milage may vary.
-Ryan
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
When I got my Vibrant, coming from the g1, tmo wanted to just pop it in the Vibrant. I made them put in the new sim card just to be safe, figured the one that came in the box brand new SHOULD be better.
iunlock said:
Thanks for your input.
As for the exp. date, where is that located. I don't see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its only on the newer ones, the old ones don't expire, they just stop working after a set number of registrations on the network.
In regards to sim issues, they really shouldn't have any impact at all. Changing a sim card refreshes the billing information in the system (like what kind of services your phone is supposed to have and what not) customer care can do this without the need for a new sim.
Hoenstly though, sometimes a sim replacement is needed, I've seen stranger things.
s15274n said:
When I got my Vibrant, coming from the g1, tmo wanted to just pop it in the Vibrant. I made them put in the new sim card just to be safe, figured the one that came in the box brand new SHOULD be better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I bought my phone out right, the rep opened the box and took out the SIM then sold me the phone.
I guess it doesn't matter since swapping out your SIM at the T-Mobile corporate stores is free.
I just tried this since there is a tmobile store across from where I work. I used SpeedTest app and ran it 3 times before the swap. Average was about 2500 kbps download and 300 up. I swapped the sim out, went back to the spot where I originally tested and ran three more times and got about the same rate with the new sim. My old one was about 3 yo from when I had my Dash.
MonkySlap said:
I just tried this since there is a tmobile store across from where I work. I used SpeedTest app and ran it 3 times before the swap. Average was about 2500 kbps download and 300 up. I swapped the sim out, went back to the spot where I originally tested and ran three more times and got about the same rate with the new sim. My old one was about 3 yo from when I had my Dash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking the only time one would see a difference is if they are having poor contact surface from the SIM wearing out. I've seen ooolld SIM's where the metal had indentations like no other.
Just read the thread and said why not had the same sim card since I first signed up with tmobile 5 years ago.
When I talked with the rep on the phone and explained this to him and asked could this help he stated that the official tmobile policy is if the old sim card works no need to switch. However, because of the technical specs on the card could cause better reception, they just can't guarantee it, they only guarantee it will not get worse. He asked if I was having issues and I said no i'm just a nerd and wanted to know if it would help. Just swapped it out going to give it a test around the house and will report back.
Back Story:
Upgraded from G1, perfect 3G everywhere in chicago, couldn't even get it to drop from 3G no matter where I went. With the Vibrant and and old sim card, constantly dropped to 2G no big deal still was speedy
New Sim Card:
will report after testing
Old Sim Card
My connection constantly jumped from 2G to 3G all over my house constantly
New Sim Card
Solid 3G all through the house, will report back after tomorrow when I travel all over chicago
Related
Hi Folks,
I was having the issue with my Vario II (on my 3rd Handset) where the phone enters standby and never wakes up until a soft reset.
When the 3rd handset arrived I decided to bite the bullet and go for WM Black and see if it made the handset any better. Unfortunately, as good as the new ROM (now on V2) is, it didnt solve my hanging issue.
The next thing I decided to do was change the radio ROM. I first went to the 1.38.10 and then to 1.38.11 and then to 1.27.00, as the later was decribed as being the most stable.
As you have probably guessed by now, the issue still plagues me....Even more so since the radio upgrades. The symptoms are as follows;
- Some calls I answer go silent after around 30 secs and I need to soft reset
- The phone can show full bars of signal but the phone diverts to answering machine
- When connecting to the internet, the icons shows as connecting but then drops to no signal (showing a !) then after a while will start to reconnect. Sometimes I need to soft reset to get the connection again
I am wondering if there is something else I am missing that could be causing the issue. I am using it today with no apps and still have the same issues as above plus the freezing issue.
Is there anything else I can change???? or am I just cursed?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers and thanks in advance
Aidan
I would say, try your SIM card in a TOTALLY different phone (not just a different Hermes) As you would have to be fairly unlucky for it to happen with THREE seperate devices, especially with different ROMs also.
If there is a handset available to you that is either a tmobile or SIM unlocked.....give it a go.
mrvanx said:
I would say, try your SIM card in a TOTALLY different phone (not just a different Hermes) As you would have to be fairly unlucky for it to happen with THREE seperate devices, especially with different ROMs also.
If there is a handset available to you that is either a tmobile or SIM unlocked.....give it a go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I belive it's your SIM card also..ask your provider to replae the SIM card for you. Just tell them your issues and it happened to three handset with the same SIM. I bet they will able to replace the SIM card without charge.
trashcan said:
I belive it's your SIM card also..ask your provider to replae the SIM card for you. Just tell them your issues and it happened to three handset with the same SIM. I bet they will able to replace the SIM card without charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep SIM cards cost JACK ALL to the providers. If they do charge you then thats gotta ring alarm bells!!!
Hanging on wake-up was my big disappointment when going from Vario I to Vario II.
It decreased after upgrading to WM6 (first black 1.2, now black 2.0). In my case the SPB mobile shell also did not seem to do the problem any good, probably because it starts the 'now' screen on wake-up.
I have not much software on my device and have very few hanging issues.
I work for a Cingular retailer, and I just signed my fathers business up. Someone had told me that the IMEI on the account had to match the phone on a 3g phone or the exact same symptoms you are seeing would occur. I confirmed it with my pop's business. the three people using 3g phones had serious problems with calls going to VM, not getting txts, and poor service in general. Once i fixed the serial numbers Cingular-side, everything was peachy. This happens to be my first post (longtimelurker) so if I'm full of ****, feel free to tell me. Check with your service provider and make sure they have the right IMEI on file. If not, you'll prolly have to go to a store to have a clerk fix it, but it'll be worth your trip if im right .
Hope I helped.
luggyman said:
I work for a Cingular retailer, and I just signed my fathers business up. Someone had told me that the IMEI on the account had to match the phone on a 3g phone or the exact same symptoms you are seeing would occur. I confirmed it with my pop's business. the three people using 3g phones had serious problems with calls going to VM, not getting txts, and poor service in general. Once i fixed the serial numbers Cingular-side, everything was peachy. This happens to be my first post (longtimelurker) so if I'm full of ****, feel free to tell me. Check with your service provider and make sure they have the right IMEI on file. If not, you'll prolly have to go to a store to have a clerk fix it, but it'll be worth your trip if im right .
Hope I helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think IMEI is the issue here. I just signed up with Cingular and got a Motorola K1..but the SIM is a 3G sim. I simply pop that into my Hermes and it's been working for 2 month now without any issues. Another thing with Cingular...the IMEI on their database is automatically updated..it's not like you have a Motorola phone and switched the SIM to a SonyEricsson phone and still using the Motorola IMEI #....it will not work that way. In fact, all GSM providers will automatically update the IMEI in their system once the SIM is registered in their network. I can confirm that with my HTC tytn with the Cingular's online account. You can check the online account pretty much on what type of phone you current have. If I use the Motorola K1, the online account will be updated as unknow phone due to it's new I guess...but when I use the HTC tytn..it's automaticlly updated as HTC 8525...even I manually change the phone type to other phone...after couple minutes..I log back on and it will show the HTC 8525 again. Base on this, I am sure IMEI is not the issue here. One thing to note is that I did get that hanging on wake up when I have the SPB software installed.
i can concur about the IMEI... i havent changed my IMEI on my account since i had a sony ericsson a few years back... and i have no data problems.. i take that back, i had some when i first got the 8525, but then found out i needed the white 3G sim, since then it has been flawless.
Awaiting Sim
Thanks for all the advice. I tried the phone with someone elses sim card the other day and it seemed to behave itself. I am going to phone t-mobile and ask them for a replacement SIM.
Will let you know how I get on.
Cheers
Aidan
AGGGHHHH!
It doesnt get any better....
I just phoned T-Mobile and asked them for a replacement SIM to be sent out. The girl I spoke to said that she could order me a new SIM which would be out in between 1-3 days but she would have to disconnect my current SIM when the new one was despatched! This means no phone for this time, which I need for business
I asked whether I could phone for activation when the new SIM arrived but this she tells me is not possible.......AGGGGHHH!
She did suggest that I could pay 15quid for an 'interactive' swap over at a T-Mobile store but I have issues getting to a store during the week and they are then going to see that VM6 Black edition is on the phone!
Any suggestions?
aidanbree said:
It doesnt get any better....
I just phoned T-Mobile and asked them for a replacement SIM to be sent out. The girl I spoke to said that she could order me a new SIM which would be out in between 1-3 days but she would have to disconnect my current SIM when the new one was despatched! This means no phone for this time, which I need for business
I asked whether I could phone for activation when the new SIM arrived but this she tells me is not possible.......AGGGGHHH!
She did suggest that I could pay 15quid for an 'interactive' swap over at a T-Mobile store but I have issues getting to a store during the week and they are then going to see that VM6 Black edition is on the phone!
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the hell?!?! Thats bullcrap if ive ever heard it, when i got a replacment USIM from O2 my existing one worked until i called O2 to activate the new one? Maybe T-Mobile has a backwards way of provisioning them?! That sucks dude. Suggest you call them again (if you havent already got an order through) and do another request...you may hit the jackpot with a different operator?!
mrvanx said:
What the hell?!?! Thats bullcrap if ive ever heard it, when i got a replacment USIM from O2 my existing one worked until i called O2 to activate the new one? Maybe T-Mobile has a backwards way of provisioning them?! That sucks dude. Suggest you call them again (if you havent already got an order through) and do another request...you may hit the jackpot with a different operator?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I understand how GSM works...The T-Mobile lady is correct. You can't have the two SIMs having the same #, one has to be deactivated before the new one is active. But if you are sure the new SIM will get to you in a day or two, you can have them to schedule deactivation of the old SIM two days later, schedule the new SIM to be active in two days..the only donw time you have is probably a an hour or two if the timing is correct. If you are able to go to a T-mobile store for direct swap, you can get the new SIM working within an hour but they shouldn't be charging you $15 at the store even you have WM6 black on the phone becasue the phone is not faulty, the faulty part is the SIM and they should honor their warranty.
trashcan said:
As far as I understand how GSM works...The T-Mobile lady is correct. You can't have the two SIMs having the same #, one has to be deactivated before the new one is active. But if you are sure the new SIM will get to you in a day or two, you can have them to schedule deactivation of the old SIM two days later, schedule the new SIM to be active in two days..the only donw time you have is probably a an hour or two if the timing is correct. If you are able to go to a T-mobile store for direct swap, you can get the new SIM working within an hour but they shouldn't be charging you $15 at the store even you have WM6 black on the phone becasue the phone is not faulty, the faulty part is the SIM and they should honor their warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed on the warranty there dude.
O2 simply sent out a replacment USIM, obviously not activated yet. It arrived and i called them, they took the sim card number and said I should lose reception on my existing sim (it wasnt 3G ready) and thats when i should put the new one in, as soon as i lost reception i swapped and it was working (got the U symbol straight away).
I figure T-mobile would do the same?!?!
Bit the bullet yesterday and paid 15 quid for a new SIM card. It has made he haw difference. Still got major issues. The phone has no signal most of the time and even on the rare occasions when it does, the calls go to answerphone.
The signal shows an exclamation mark (!) and the only way I can get rid of it is to do a hard reset and it works for a couple of hour (or less). It is as though it is constantly in flight mode.
Hey all,
Currently using an unbranded HTC Hero on Orange, unsure if I am getting a 3G connection though, icon wise I constantly have a "G" but unsure if it should show "3G" instead, also seen an "E" a couple of times which I assume is Edge but didn't know Orange supported it.
Just wondering if a 3G icon as such actually exists? If so could it be a setting somewhere I haven't got configured correctly?
Thanks
Russ
Could be 2 things.
You have use only 2G networks checked in the settings
OR
You need a new sim, although the phone supports 3G your sim needs to as well. If you are still using an old sim which was from a non 3G mobile then you need a new one. Contact your provider to ask them for a new one (you will keep your number).
how to REALLY find out whether you are connected with 3G? i mean not just looking for that 3G symbol ;-)
barryallott said:
Could be 2 things.
You have use only 2G networks checked in the settings
OR
You need a new sim, although the phone supports 3G your sim needs to as well. If you are still using an old sim which was from a non 3G mobile then you need a new one. Contact your provider to ask them for a new one (you will keep your number).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to do this a while back, if you have never bought a 3G phone from Orange you probably have a 2G SIM. Call them and they will send you a new one for free.
So I'm right in thinking there should be a 3G icon? I'll get onto them thanks
Well in a very strange turn of events I may actually benefit from this. Having called Orange to ask for a 3G SIM (they confirmed I had 2G) they basically said it wasn't possible to do a straight swap, something about contracts.
After a bit of complaining they have basically come to the conclusion that the only way to help me out is to restart my contract from scratch and send me out a new 3G handset along with the SIM.
So not only will I have my beloved Hero running on 3G I will also have an as yet unspecified 3G handset for sale!
Just waiting for them to call back
And the handset I will be getting...a HTC Touch 3G!
Should fetch a pretty penny
Thats really bull**** why can't they swap your sim card. i had vodafone sim card i lost it and went to vodafone they give me a new sim card directly 5 minuts later it was active. its very weird that they have to give you new contract.
thats ****in crazy! i'd not accept that!
Replacing like for like isn't an issue, it's because I need to "upgrade" the SIM card as such that they have a problem.
Still, works out nicely for me considering I was only 4 months into my contract and have a pretty sweet deal of £15 a month for 200 mins, unlimited txts and 500mb data. So no complaints that I have to restart my contract.
Got a lot of conflicting info on this.
1.Are different sims given for smart vs dumbphones? 3G vs 4G? Etc
Ie: will a smartphone not access 4g on a GoPhone sim?
2.Can a Rep on the phone identify your phone by the imei?
Thank you for any enlightening!
I may be wrong but I think the gophone sim works differently than a regular sim, there are att sims that say 3g but they work just the same as the new sim cards att is using, as far as the rep being able to tell ur phone make and model by the imei that's a yes for sure, they can detect what phone you have without you giving them that info and slap the $25 2gb data plan on your account.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
To put it simply- if the network system knows that X phone has X IMEI or even model code it shows when it connects (I777 vs say I9100) and its endorsed by them, then they'll know what it is.
Do you want to know this to avoid paying ridiculous data fees? If so, get an international unlocked/unbranded phone that your carrier never had/in their system. I've been milking dumbell data rates on my Nokia E series phones for years now and not because I use the balls out of the data, but to have that unlimited/cheap peace of mind.
When I upgraded from my Captivate to the SGS2, the AT&T clerk said I needed the 4G sim card and installed one.
retnuh said:
When I upgraded from my Captivate to the SGS2, the AT&T clerk said I needed the 4G sim card and installed one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I received the same treatment. With my last five phones, I've only been able to swap out the SIM cards twice — once because I bought a phone on Craigslist.
Really? I'm still on my, what is it, 4-5 year old 3G sim and no problems whatsoever.
Skv012a said:
Really? I'm still on my, what is it, 4-5 year old 3G sim and no problems whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on my old 3g Sim card as well but when i got the sgsii it wouldn't connect to the "phone" APN, i had to use the old "wap.cingular" APN. The old 3g Sims aren't provisioned on AT&T's network to access hspa.
Before getting a new Sim card, i would never get over 3Mbps down. Now i average 5 and on good days it'll peak to 7-10.
to answer the question about different Sim cards for smart phones or dumb phones; pretty sure they use the same card because when i went the other day to get a new Sim, the rep just grabbed one from a stack and activated it, there was only one stack. Also it would cost more and bee more confusing for them as company to do that.
And at&t can identify a phone over the network only if that phone is familiar to them. So if you bought an AT&T sgsii off craigslist/ebay/friend and plug in your Sim card, they'll be able to tell.
If you buy a phone that isn't sold/recognized by AT&T, most of the time they can't tell what the device.
A good check is after you put the Sim in your phone, wait a couple hours then log onto your account online and if it shows a picture of the phone your using, they can detect it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
I have this as a gophone. They gave me a normal sim card not the go phone sim card. It has hspa + also.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Well sim doesn't really determine what your plan allows you to do, so sims are dime a dozen. I may consider upgrading my sim if they'll be able to put my current number on a newer sim, else I'm not really concerned too much. (and, for your laughs, I'm still only using Edge to avoid having gutter battery).
bbubel said:
as far as the rep being able to tell ur phone make and model by the imei that's a yes for sure, they can detect what phone you have without you giving them that info and slap the $25 2gb data plan on your account.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is only partly true. IF you have a att phone they can detect what type of phone you have by your IMEI #. that number is cataloged in their systems however if you have a European phone or a unlocked phone from another carrier then no they cannot tell what phone you have.
as for sims there are 2 different types of sims (go phones I dont know) there is the regular sized sims and the micro sims. Micro's for att are used for iphone 4 and up and I believe they are the only phone for att that uses the micro sim. As for functionality of the sims no the old sims (3G) work with thier HSPA+ just the same.....
retnuh said:
When I upgraded from my Captivate to the SGS2, the AT&T clerk said I needed the 4G sim card and installed one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing when I upgraded. But my sim was a few years old and pretty scratched up from being put in different phones so I figured even if it would work it was time to be replaced anyway.
When I bought the sgs2 the clerk was surprised I still had my Cingular Sim card and suggested I get the new one. I got to keep my Cingular relic.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
The only problem I've run into is my mms stopped working a few days after using the phone and I'm on a gophone account. My inspire works fine. Not sure if they ran an imei sweep and the sgii doesnt play nice with gophone accounts. They still had my imei as an old nokia flip phone. You don't have to have data on a gophone, but if you want internet you'll need to buy a gophone data package.
You mean you need an unlimited $50 type GoPhone account right? No one needs a data account above and beyond that.
I bought a cheap GoPhone $50 plan today...using that sim in my Note AI get tomorrow.
gadget069 said:
The only problem I've run into is my mms stopped working a few days after using the phone and I'm on a gophone account. My inspire works fine. Not sure if they ran an imei sweep and the sgii doesnt play nice with gophone accounts. They still had my imei as an old nokia flip phone. You don't have to have data on a gophone, but if you want internet you'll need to buy a gophone data package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so - first off, let me give a quick intro: I am really sorry if I post this in the wrong forum. I AM a noob.
I've been a long time reader (and a very happy user of the great knowlegde base and ROM development here on XDA!) and this is my first post. I'm not anywhere near to be a Linux/Android wizard but on the other hand I have gotten S-off and root on my Wildfire S, have tried different ROMS, link2sd, modified GPS files with root explorer etc. That's kind of my level.
-------
So - now to my question. Please be patient with me, it's hard for me to explain in simple terms and english is not my first language. I WILL get down to facts and numbers.
I've decided to move to a more powerful device and I have just bought a Galaxy S II, bought unlocked from my provider. So basicly all I should have had to do when I got my GS2 in the mail was to pop out the SIM card from my Wildfire S and pop it in the GS2 and it *SHOULD* have been working. Problem is - it works 'kinda'. Yes - it works in the worst way - from time to time. I am puzzled!
I get very bad reception and most times NO reception - no signal.
The SIM card does not get rejected by the phone as if the phone was locked, and if I go outside I CAN get a signal, and I CAN make calls. Sometimes I have been cut off. Now I'm not talking about me not just getting data or GPS signal - I'm talking about 2G GSM signal for just making calls and texting. But outside downtown I HAVE had the H+ sign for data appear and I HAVE downloaded from market with the troubled SIM card.
So one would think that the antenna/modem(?) in the SG2 does not work properly. Well - I got me a pre-paid SIM card from the best covered provider in Denmark. I pop the SIM card in - I get a fine signal. Data and GPS works well, calling and texting - no problem!
I have tried 2 other SIM cards from my provider from friends phones - CBB using the Telenor network - and results are the same. Very poor signal, sometimes no signal.
So here's the facts from inside my appartment in a larger city well covered from several providers in Denmark:
- SIM card from my provider in Wildfire S gives me a signal between -80 and -90 dBm and 10 - 15 asu. All functions work, GPS, 3G data, calls, MMS, texting.
- The same SIM card in the GS2 give me at best around -100 dBm and 5 - 6 asu but often drops to -111 dBm and 1 asu. I have seen -113 dBm. Useless.
- SIM card from another large network provider gives me 80 - 95 dBm and 8 - 15 asu.
- I have checked if the phone is locked - it is *NOT* SIM locked.
Remember - this is all in the same place in the same chair in front of the same table. If my provider had a poor signal Wildfire S should be affected as well.
Can my SIM card from my provider somehow be incompatible with the SG2? I have of course called my provider and explained all of this. They had NO clue why it happened but would mail me a new SIM card before doing repairs.
After a factory reset Wildfire S will pop up and ask me what provider I am using after detecting SIM card (select SIM service prompt). SG2 will do the same thing on the pre-paid SIM card - not on the SIM card from my provider. Does this mean anything to any of you?
Is there a way to determine the type of the SIM card in the phone? I would like to know if the two SIM cards are of different types using different technologies - whatever - so I could determine if the SG2 was not compatible with my providers SIM card.
Model: GT-I9100
Android: 2.3.5
Baseband: I9100XXKI4
Kernel: 2.6.35.7-I9100XWKI8-CL616395 [email protected] #2
Build: GINGERBREAD.XWKI8
Country: Denmark
Provider: CBB - using the net of Telenor
If you are still with me this far - thank you very much!
I had a somewhat similar problem that I solved just this morning....
Here in Costa Rica there are now 3 carriers, ICE which is state owned and two private carriers, Movistar and Claro.
I bought my S2 unlocked from a fella that bought it from Claro. The chip I was using was an old GSM chip that I was using in my previous phone. I had data connectivity but it was slow and calls dropped constantly with my chip. I have another phone with a brand new chip and when I would use it all was good. The old chip also had an R on the signal for roaming most of the time, and it always thought it was roaming when I had market enabler programmed to fake at&t so I could get to certain apps.
But this morning I went to my carrier and got a new chip and all is good.
Bottom line, go to your carrier and ask for a new chip. There may be something in the programming not optiized for the phone you have or the current network
Actually, cdzo72 could be right.
Check how old are SIM cards you were using.
Prepaid one should be no older than 1 year, meaning new tech included.
Try to find someone who recently got new contract with same provider U are using (CBB) or at least new/replaced SIM from them.
Few years ago my provider forced me to change SIM card on renewing contract since SIM "is no more fully compatible with new technology in modern mobile phones", whatever that means.
Thank you for your time.
I have a new SIM card waiting for me in the snail mail tomorrow, and I hope that it will work.
My current SIM card is 3 years old, and when I got it, it was on the same occasion as Bodisson - I got a new Nokia, and my old SIM card was not compatible with the new phone.
If this is the case however, I cannot help to think about why my Wildfire S works without any problems at all with the current SIM card. One should think that the two phones use the same technologies.
Oh well - if it doesn't work with a new SIM card the GS2 is in for repairs on monday.
The worst thing is that I have had the phone for 10 days and I feel as I did when I was 8 years old and didn't get a Commodore 64 for christmas! I want to play with my new toy!
interesting discovery for myself a little bit ago and i cannot find anything on google relating to the rezound being capable of using either sim
i dont have pics, but i've only seen rezounds with the larger white sim
and now i'm finding out that its capable of using the micro sim (thanks swilbert80 for bringin a few more hours of my life into sim research, inadvertently of course) lol
first, i wonder if there is a performance gain using a micro sim?
seems like it is generation 2 sorta, for all i know they work just the same - but i find it very interesting that its never been discussed (or at least i cant find)
ive swapped my sim out once as advised by technical support to resolve poor 4g reception - nothing was said to or mentioned of trying a micro sim,
anyways, any and all insight appreciated, curious to know what others have as a percentage...
thank you for lookin
MotoDj said:
interesting discovery for myself a little bit ago and i cannot find anything on google relating to the rezound being capable of using either sim
i dont have pics, but i've only seen rezounds with the larger white sim
and now i'm finding out that its capable of using the micro sim (thanks swilbert80 for bringin a few more hours of my life into sim research, inadvertently of course) lol
first, i wonder if there is a performance gain using a micro sim?
seems like it is generation 2 sorta, for all i know they work just the same - but i find it very interesting that its never been discussed (or at least i cant find)
ive swapped my sim out once as advised by technical support to resolve poor 4g reception - nothing was said to or mentioned of trying a micro sim,
anyways, any and all insight appreciated, curious to know what others have as a percentage...
thank you for lookin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference between a regular SIM and a MicroSIM card is the physical size different, the actual circuit and contact part of the SIM and MicroSIM card is identical.
As for resolve poor 4G reception due to SIM card? Man tech support say the darnest things. It has NOTHING to do with 4G reception. It's nothing but an excuse to keep you in the loop while they won't admit it could be either the phone or their network's problem.
Going back to the topic. I have the first generation SIM card from Verzion as it came with my good old Thunderbolt.
I've been wondering though, when the next gen iPhone which supports LTE is released, if a simple SIM swap would complete the process of activation like between 4G devices now is going to be applicable or not...
SteveDusa said:
The only difference between a regular SIM and a MicroSIM card is the physical size different, the actual circuit and contact part of the SIM and MicroSIM card is identical.
As for resolve poor 4G reception due to SIM card? Man tech support say the darnest things. It has NOTHING to do with 4G reception. It's nothing but an excuse to keep you in the loop while they won't admit it could be either the phone or their network's problem.
Going back to the topic. I have the first generation SIM card from Verzion as it came with my good old Thunderbolt.
I've been wondering though, when the next gen iPhone which supports LTE is released, if a simple SIM swap would complete the process of activation like between 4G devices now is going to be applicable or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually sims can go bad, it's a computer chip and they can interfere with a lot of things on the phone, it's main purpose is for authenticating and utilizing the radio in the phone, so bad sim card = tons of connection issues.
I experienced it with an old AT&T sim which I used to switch between phones a lot. though micro-sim vs regualar sim is irrelevent, they are the same thing just cut different.
Just getting a new sim, either kind should fix the issue if you have a bad sim.
A simple sim swap will do the basic activation of the lte iphone when it comes out just like swapping androids.
The only exception is that iphones interface with voicemail and sometimes data differently (at least as of IOS 3.0, it may have changed.) so a call in to verizon may be required to switch the plan your on. I've dealt with this when switching between iphone, blackberry and android on my AT&T sim. That really depends on how the carrier sets up the plans
movielover76 said:
Actually sims can go bad, it's a computer chip and they can interfere with a lot of things on the phone, it's main purpose is for authenticating and utilizing the radio in the phone, so bad sim card = tons of connection issues.
I experienced it with an old AT&T sim which I used to switch between phones a lot. though micro-sim vs regualar sim is irrelevent, they are the same thing just cut different.
Just getting a new sim, either kind should fix the issue if you have a bad sim.
A simple sim swap will do the basic activation of the lte iphone when it comes out just like swapping androids.
The only exception is that iphones interface with voicemail and sometimes data differently (at least as of IOS 3.0, it may have changed.) so a call in to verizon may be required to switch the plan your on. I've dealt with this when switching between iphone, blackberry and android on my AT&T sim. That really depends on how the carrier sets up the plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess they don't make SIM cards like they used to be.
My mom's SIM card, which she was given back in 1995... yes, 1995, is still kicking and works just fine even after it's being clipped for MicroSIM across 20+ phones she had in the years.
bummer, i was hoping for someone to say that the micro was gonna be the bees knees... ( yall coulda lied, i believe in placebo's)
lmao
owell, guess i'll suffer with my oversized one lol
its easy to remove and replace i guess
MotoDj said:
bummer, i was hoping for someone to say that the micro was gonna be the bees knees... ( yall coulda lied, i believe in placebo's)
lmao
owell, guess i'll suffer with my oversized one lol
its easy to remove and replace i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, personally the regular Sim card are about the right size for me the micro ones I fumble around with and drop it a lot, lol.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
I almost fell out of my chair when I read about the sim card doing bad reception. Even if one is going bad. Most chances are its is either going to work or it isn't. Not kinda work. A fellow Rezound owning friend and I was talking about this subject yesterday. I don't think cdma carriers have the whole sim card technology ironed out yet. I had ATT for many years and I never heard the stories of people needing to get sim cards swapped out because of something not working or because they changed phones like I have since I been with Verizon. Seems like just about every person who switches phones has to get a new sim card.