Database Users

3G on O2 Exec

So my new Exec turned up today, along with a new SIM card, marked 3G.
Do I need to use this card?
My current SIM works fine in it, but Im wondering if I need to put in the new one, call Cust Services and have it enabled, or can I get the 3G service on my existing SIM?

Depends , the 3G card will allow faster internet connection- if in service area
if in stand gprs area , you get a G at top of screen
if in 3G area you get a U

Does that mean I have to use and register the 3G SIM? As far as I was aware, the SIM doesnt actually provide any functionality - its the service class your contract has?

@CPGOD
3G and GSM SIMs are different. Only with a 3G SIM can you use UMTS (3G services). Please check with O2, they may be transferring your number to the new SIM from the old - which would be a good thing if you want fast data download (max speed around 384kbps)

not true, my voda sim of over two years is now 3G enabled...

@twaddle, you're right it is possible to have a SIM that is GSM and UMTS. Did a bit of research and found SIM cards can function in GSM and UMTS modes. This has not been true for "3" network, however.

I'm not really sure the old SIM can be used to received 3G, I've just upgraded and got my old number transfer to the 3G sim, it works after a few hours. If the old one worked then why would they bother giving out the new sim?

O2, Exec upgrades and 3G

I've just got an Exec as a free upgrade to my beloved XDA II so I phoned O2 to ask about their 3G service.
In short, if you get an Exec from O2 you should also be given a new 3G SIM for free. If you haven't, call them to say you haven't and they'll send one. No reconfiguring of the Exec is necessary (they say). I'm guessing this doesn't apply if you're a pre-pay client, but who knows?
G
(I suppose I'll have to change my name to 3Goldry soon...)

I don't think a new SIM is required for 3G access... I had a Vodafone Pay&Go SIM well before I got my V1640, and it works on UMTS.

Yes you do require a sim that is compatable, although it is possible your existing one will support the UTMS, if not simply call in to the O2 shop and they will give you the SIM for free, activate it and away you go....
Huge bills - stupidly expensive access charges, but a super quick connection - oh - and did I mention the battery life, UTMS kicks the cr*p out of your battery, I have seen mine decrease even when connected to the car charger - Mike

some theory
3g requires a thicker sim card. You eill not be able to use 3g band with a standard gsm sim. hence no video calling, etc.
its a fact, ie - its a standart.

igs said:
some theory
3g requires a thicker sim card. You eill not be able to use 3g band with a standard gsm sim. hence no video calling, etc.
its a fact, ie - its a standart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G is a thicker SIM? I've not noticed any difference with my T-Mobile SIMs..?

O2 have different SIMS for 3G and GSM. The 3G SIM has some extra information on it which means that a GSM SIM in a 3G phone will not allow 3G data.
I went into an O2 shop and they charged me £10 for a new 3G SIM which they then registered to my account and threw away the old one.
rgds

£10 for a new SIM? That's a joke! I might just go back to Vodafone then in that case...

I just had this with Orange.
I bought a SIM from a market stall for £5 thinking that it would be cheaper than going to Orange for it.
I put it in my Uni, got it all registered and everything was fine until I asked 450 why I wasn't getting a 3G icon.
I had to go to the Orange shop, pay another £5 for a SIM (USIM, 3G SIM) and then ... The fun started.
I put £20 on the USIM when I bought it, it was pre-activated. I took it home, phoned 450, got them to change the number from my old SIM to the new one. I asked if the £20 would be credited accross and he said "yes, within 24 hours".
I waited and it didn't appear. I phoned 450 and the nice gentleman in India told me there was sweet FA he could do to help, go see the Orange shop.
I went to the shop and they told me that ev erything had been done wrong, that they shouldn't even sell USIMs without a new 3G phone to go with it.
I got my £20 back though and am now fully 3G (when in coverage).
The USIM isn't any thicker than the 2G SIM, but it is a different color.

So you're saying that the orange SIM card was meant to be free? Or were you not meant to get it at all?

I think the virgin 'normal' free sims can be enabled to be 3g simply by sending a message to 80310 with the word “Video” but o2 use special seperate 3g sims. From what I understand there is extra capacity on the newer 3g sims but for current 3g services we don't need them hence why virgin's can be enabled.
I have o2 sim and am planning to be off on my travels so am in the process of setting up my universal (xda exec) to use a virgin sim in this as you can roam in Japan only on a 3g sim.

Let us bare in mind that these most extreme cases are pay as you go deals where its "not subsidised"....
If anyone puts some marketing sense into it it will be clearer to understand what all the comotion is about.
Eventually all charges for sims etc on paygo will be waved.... for the moment its a matter of choice.
BR

There's no such thing as a 3G SIM.
Yes there are different SIMs available (with more on-board memory) but at the end of the day they all have to fit into the same SIM shaped hole in your phone.
The handset and features on your account determine whether or not you can access 3G.

actually there is a specific SIM for 3G. It is same shape and size but does not work in older 2G phones..... However, 2G SIMs all work in most 3G Phones

moghisi101 said:
actually there is a specific SIM for 3G. It is same shape and size but does not work in older 2G phones..... However, 2G SIMs all work in most 3G Phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirelly right m8...give it a try if you have one and you will see I have my o2 rg sim and works fine on other 2g phones...that also goes for another PAYGO 3g vodafone card that i got hanging around...obviously when it comes to three uk its a diferent story since they do not offer a gsm service and rely on 02 lines where there is no coverage from them and this costs them money.
BR

sim question?

Is it possible to use two different carriers with one sim at the same time? For instance. using a cingular voice plan and a tmobile data plan at the same time, without having to switch between the two.

There are dual sim adaptors which work on the TyTN, have a look at this thread, you need one of the '10th generation':
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=273387

Dual Sim Adaptor doesn't work in TYTN II (ORange UK Only)

I have a TYTN II on the Orange UK network (Pay Monthly). The phone is unlocked and works with a O2 (Pay as you GO) SIM on the network.
I recently bought the following Dual SIM Adaptor :-
http://www.m-99.co.uk/Mobile_Phone_Twin_SIM_Adapters/mobile_phone_twin_sim_adapters.html
I cut both my SIMS and tested them on a Nokia. The SIMS work fine in the Nokia, I can select SIM 1 or SIM 2.
On plugging the adaptor into my TYTN, the O2 network works fine.
On switching to the Orange UK network the phone shows signal, but after approx 15 seconds the network shows no signal.
When trying to access the SIM Manager during this 15 seconds it does state that the SIM is initialising.
The Adaptor works fine on a Nokia but not a TYTN II. Any Ideas ??

Perhaps it requires different hardware? On the site you have to choose the model ..

Bought one from another site and same problem.
I chose the TYTN adaptor.
I'll try a different ROM.
Lee

Maybe you have to turn the radio off before switching from one sim to another.

Have you set it to GSM network type ?
Go to: Settings>Phone>Band (you will need a working sim installed to enter phone options)
I had a bunch of dual sims that worked great on WM PDAs, sold um all.
Your problem sounds like the Orange SIM is not connecting well.
One trick that can work well is to place the Dual sim adaptor (SIMs loaded in adaptor) on a flat surface PCB side down & apply even preassure over the top with your thumb (Give it a good hard squash)
This normally cures it.
Another option is to swap the sim positions & see if Orange works in the O2 slot (this will prove sim terminal connection problem)

Thanks Mister B,
Went to Settings>Phone>Band and switched from Auto to GSM. All works fine.
Cheers

DUAL SIM Not working on Treo 750 WM 6.1 GSM phone
The Dual SIM Adapter boasts of not needing to switch off to switch between SIMS. But it shows only default SIM 1 and not the second SIM. My Treo 750 is a unlocked WM 6.1 GSM type. Can anyone help pls?

No 1: follow tip in post #5
No 2: remove sim adaptor from phone place it on a flat hard surface with the PCB board facing down & roll your thumb over the back of it with reasonable pressure & then retry it in your device.
Some of these adaptors need a lot of patience to get working due to poor contacts between sim cards & adaptor.
You can also swap position of your 2 SIMs which will help fault diagnose the issue.

Dual sim - hsdpa

Hi All,
Does anyone know of a dual sim adapter that work in the HTC Hero, which also allows HSDPA connections? A lot of the cheaper ones found on ebay don't appear to offer 3G access.
I have a Vodafone UK and O2 SIM card and would like to use them both in the same phone.
Does anyone have any experience of one that works with these and or HSDPA access?
-thanks,
Lewman

illuminatiK ;-)