 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups General General TopicsGSMBluetoothProviders AlltelATT WirelessCingularFidoNextelSprint PCST-MobileVerizonManufacturers EricssonNokiaMotorolaCountry Specific Australian GroupUK GroupRelated Topics PocketPCPalmMore Topics ... |
Cellular Phone Forum / Country Specific / Australian Group / October 2004Pre-Paid Handset Upgrade Options
I was wondering if any of you guys could provide some advice as to my options re upgrading mobile handsets with pre-paid cards. I have an old Nokia 3310 from a couple of years ago which I use with Optus pre-paid. The phone is past the 12 or 18 month minimum so it is no longer locked with Optus. Anyway, I was thinking of upgrading my handset to something newer/smaller/lighter. I don't want to buy a really expensive mobile outright, so I was looking at the existing deals Optus has with pre-paid and was thinking about getting the Sony Ericsson T230 which was $139. But I assume this is for new pre-paid customers. Does anyone know if I could get this handset and still keep my currentSIM or my current number? What other options are available to existing pre-paid customers? Ideally, I was thinking I could buy the handset I wanted for the $139, and just plug in my old pre-paid SIM into it. Then I could either use the new SIM, or buy a SIM only starter kit, stick in the old Nokia and give the phone to my younger sister. But I suspect the new handset will be SIM-locked or something. What about if I change carriers to Telstra or Vodafone. Is it possible to keep your old mobile number on pre-paid? If any of you could provide any advice/suggestions, it would be appreciated. Thanks. Mike Can't you just buy a new pre-paid handet on the same network you're on? Discard the new SIM card but use the recharge card (number) supplied. > Can't you just buy a new pre-paid handet on the same network you're on? > Discard the new SIM card but use the recharge card (number) supplied. No because some carriers and some SIM-ranges within carriers lock the specific SIM card to the phone, ie: additional locking, not only locked to a specific carrier. >> Can't you just buy a new pre-paid handet on the same network you're on? >> Discard the new SIM card but use the recharge card (number) supplied. > > No because some carriers and some SIM-ranges within carriers lock the > specific SIM card to the phone, ie: additional locking, not only locked to a > specific carrier. Optus doesn't do any additional locking, at least, not on Nokias. - Anthony > > Can't you just buy a new pre-paid handet on the same network you're on? > > Discard the new SIM card but use the recharge card (number) supplied. > > No because some carriers and some SIM-ranges within carriers lock the > specific SIM card to the phone, ie: additional locking, not only locked to a > specific carrier. No they don't. That's not even very easily implementable by the GSM specifications (at the SIM-ME level). And why would they lock the SIM to a specific phone anyway? > > > Can't you just buy a new pre-paid handet on the same network you're on? > > > Discard the new SIM card but use the recharge card (number) supplied. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > And why would they lock the SIM to a specific phone anyway? Optus HAVE done that before. So have Vodafone. The feauture was sold as a "security feature" so that even if somebody on the same carrier stole your handset, it could not be used. I guess this has probably been less relevant now that unlocking devices have become commonplace. > > > Can't you just buy a new pre-paid handet on the same network you're on? > > > Discard the new SIM card but use the recharge card (number) supplied. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > No they don't. That's not even very easily implementable by the GSM > specifications (at the SIM-ME level). Rubbish. Its been done before in Aus > And why would they lock the SIM to a specific phone anyway? So that the phone uses the prepaid SIM and not any other SIM,sily > Does anyone know if I could get this handset and still keep my > current SIM or my current number? As far as I'm aware, you can always keep your existing phone number. I've done it with Telstra, Optus, Virgin, and iSim. If you're in doubt, confirm it with whoever you buy the phone from, and if you're still in doubt, get them to write it on the invoice. By the way, I have a T230, and I hate it. The keys are too small, the phone is too small, and it's very different in operation to the Nokia you're used to. > What about if I change carriers to Telstra or Vodafone. Is it possible to > keep your old mobile number on pre-paid? Yes, in my experience. However, I might add that sometimes it can take far longer than you'd like - my port from Optus prepaid to Virgin prepaid (or was it the other way, I can't recall now, lol) took a week! And Optus and Virgin are actually the same physical network! I jumped up and down about it and got a $20 credit, so I can't really complain. One other thing you might like to bear in mind - it's been my experience that locked phones can still be used with other phone companies who use the same network. For example, Optus, Virgin and iSim all use the same network, so a phone that is advertised as locked to one of those companies may actually work on one of the other networks. Peter > Does anyone know if I could get > this handset and still keep my currentSIM or my current number? What other > options are available to existing pre-paid customers? http://www.optus.com.au/Vign/ViewMgmt/display/0,2627,1038_34776-3_6737--View_354 ,FF.html There are Optus Pre-Paid 'upgrade packs' that contain no SIM, but $20 in calls (versus $10 in most 'new customer' packs). The T230 isn't specifically advertised, but just ask at an Optus World or Optus dealer. If you're just after a smaller, lighter basic phone, Vodafone sells the Sony Ericsson T105 for $69, unlocked. It also comes with a $30 red SIM pack that you could pass on to your sister if you've already contacted Optus to have the Nokia unlocked. If it helps, it is my understanding that all Vodafone prepaid packs come with handsets that are unlocked. The Panasonic A100 is a nice little handset (low on features though) for only $129 unlocked. If you are happy with the Optus rates, stay with them and put the Optus SIM into the Vodafone handset. Otherwise you could port your number over to Vodafone. If you want a new Optus prepaid pack, and your existing SIM will not work on the new handset, then call Optus and get them to transfer it. If they say it cannot be done, then just buy a starter kit from another network, port over to them, then port back to Optus, keeping your same number. > I was wondering if any of you guys could provide some advice as to my > options re upgrading mobile handsets with pre-paid cards. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > Mike > If you want a new Optus prepaid pack, and your existing SIM will not > work on the new handset, then call Optus and get them to transfer it. > If they say it cannot be done, then just buy a starter kit from > another network, port over to them, then port back to Optus, keeping > your same number. Existing Optus SIM should work in an Optus prepaid pack. Wife is currently with Optus Usage Only (i.e. off contract) and I asked at Optus shop about getting a new phone (e.g. Nokia 1100 or 3315). They directed me to a prepaid pack at $99 and $79 respectively and said the existing Optus SIM would work in them (they are network locked). Also available at the post office. Obviously you don't get to use the $10 credit that comes with the prepaid unless you activate the prepaid SIM (with a different phone number). |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.