Are '3' sim cards interchangeable with other phones?
21 February 2006, 12:20 PM
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Are '3' sim cards interchangeable with other phones?
I seem to recall reading somewhere that 3 sims cannot be used in other phones and vice versa.
Has anyone else heard this or am I talking through my a$$?
Has anyone else heard this or am I talking through my a$$?
21 February 2006, 12:54 PM
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if you are after a 3 tariff for the value, then look at 02s imode tariff.
£35 a month for 1000 minutes any network any time and 10 texts, and it works in 3g and non 3g phones.
£35 a month for 1000 minutes any network any time and 10 texts, and it works in 3g and non 3g phones.
21 February 2006, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by sti-04!!
They are a different size, i cant remember exactly but i do know that they wont fit "normal" phones.
Manufacturers sell the same phones on different networks, it would cost too much to design the same phone on different networks/providers to take a certain sized sim
21 February 2006, 02:26 PM
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What a load of twaddle on here 
3G phones carry standard form factor SIMs. Whether that SIM is enabled to work on 3G networks is dependent upon the SIM having been programmed to allow access to the particular 3G network of choice.
ie, you'll need to obtain a sim that a network operator has released to you which offers 3G access. If such a SIM is fitted and there is no 3G transmitter in range, the phone will drop down to GSM on whatever network that 3G network operator has an agreement with.
Simple as
3G phones carry standard form factor SIMs. Whether that SIM is enabled to work on 3G networks is dependent upon the SIM having been programmed to allow access to the particular 3G network of choice.
ie, you'll need to obtain a sim that a network operator has released to you which offers 3G access. If such a SIM is fitted and there is no 3G transmitter in range, the phone will drop down to GSM on whatever network that 3G network operator has an agreement with.
Simple as
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21 February 2006, 02:36 PM
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I had heard people complaining that when using a 3 mobile sim in another companies 2g phone, the sim is locked out.
no idea if this is true in all cases.
I don't think anyone is disputing that 3g sims can be used on 2g phones, but I don't think that was the question asked.
no idea if this is true in all cases.
I don't think anyone is disputing that 3g sims can be used on 2g phones, but I don't think that was the question asked.
21 February 2006, 02:39 PM
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It all depends. Are we talking 3G as in the telecom standard, or "3" as in the network operator?
If the network operator, then of course, they will not work in other phones sim-locked to another network.
eg, a 3G sim from Orange should work in an Orange 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" should work in an "3" 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" may not work in a 2G phone from Orange if Orange has sim-locked the 2G phone.
However, using a 3G sim from "3" in a sim-unlocked 2G phone should be fine....
If the network operator, then of course, they will not work in other phones sim-locked to another network.
eg, a 3G sim from Orange should work in an Orange 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" should work in an "3" 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" may not work in a 2G phone from Orange if Orange has sim-locked the 2G phone.
However, using a 3G sim from "3" in a sim-unlocked 2G phone should be fine....
21 February 2006, 03:37 PM
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The sims in 3G phones are generally USIMs (Universal Subscriber Identity Module), but they have the same form factor and physical size as GSM SIMs.
They should work ok in 2G and 2.5G phones (barring locking issues).
They should work ok in 2G and 2.5G phones (barring locking issues).
21 February 2006, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by imlach
The sims in 3G phones are generally USIMs (Universal Subscriber Identity Module), but they have the same form factor and physical size as GSM SIMs.
They should work ok in 2G and 2.5G phones (barring locking issues).
They should work ok in 2G and 2.5G phones (barring locking issues).
21 February 2006, 03:51 PM
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My experience with a 3UK prepaid USIM is that it only works with a fone sold by 3 (any 3 network in the world, as long as the handset is unlocked). I tried the prepaid USIM in a SE T610, & it doesn't work, tho that very fone works with a 3HK tariff USIM.
I think the 3UK USIM is probably locked, as my 3HK USIM works with all the fones I've tried with (incl Nokia 6230i, SE T610, Sharp 903SH, Ericsson T39, etc). I cannot talk abt 3G fones sold by other networks, as I have not tried the 3UK USIM on other non-3 3G fones.
I think the 3UK USIM is probably locked, as my 3HK USIM works with all the fones I've tried with (incl Nokia 6230i, SE T610, Sharp 903SH, Ericsson T39, etc). I cannot talk abt 3G fones sold by other networks, as I have not tried the 3UK USIM on other non-3 3G fones.
21 February 2006, 04:01 PM
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You can NOT use Three network sim cards in non 3g phones- it costs them money to room on other networks.
Early sims are fine, but any new ones will not. I posted the link on here many a time ago showing which phones can and can not be used.
Early sims are fine, but any new ones will not. I posted the link on here many a time ago showing which phones can and can not be used.
21 February 2006, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by kammy
You can NOT use Three network sim cards in non 3g phones- it costs them money to room on other networks.
Early sims are fine, but any new ones will not. I posted the link on here many a time ago showing which phones can and can not be used.
Early sims are fine, but any new ones will not. I posted the link on here many a time ago showing which phones can and can not be used.
Yes, they don't like you using 2G or 2.5G phones as they use O2 for GSM, and obviously have to pay O2 when you use GSM.
21 February 2006, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by imlach
It all depends. Are we talking 3G as in the telecom standard, or "3" as in the network operator?
If the network operator, then of course, they will not work in other phones sim-locked to another network.
eg, a 3G sim from Orange should work in an Orange 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" should work in an "3" 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" may not work in a 2G phone from Orange if Orange has sim-locked the 2G phone.
However, using a 3G sim from "3" in a sim-unlocked 2G phone should be fine....
If the network operator, then of course, they will not work in other phones sim-locked to another network.
eg, a 3G sim from Orange should work in an Orange 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" should work in an "3" 2G phone and vice versa.
a 3G sim from "3" may not work in a 2G phone from Orange if Orange has sim-locked the 2G phone.
However, using a 3G sim from "3" in a sim-unlocked 2G phone should be fine....
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