Pre-paid sisim card? What's it all about?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Norm L - 26 Oct 2004 07:35 GMT

Hi all;
I'm not au fait when it comes to mobile phones. I'm trying to find out
about pre-paid sim cards and how they apply to my Nokia 5110.

I got this phone a few years ago on Optus's $9.90 per month plan, on a
two year contract. At the end of the contract I just cancelled it as I had
only used the phone a few times over the two years. They said keep the
phone.

It's just sat in my desk for the last few years - a waste. I'd like to
have it available for emergencies. Someone said that I should put in a
pre-paid sim card in it.

My internet searches said something like Nokia's 5110 can be locked into
the phone provider. Is it locked into Optus. How do I unlock it? Does the
new pre-paid sim card overcome this?

Where do I get pre-paid sim cards? What does it cost?

I'm sure these questions are VERY simplistic but I haven't had much luck
in my searches...

Thanks,
Norm

Reply to this Message

Mike - 26 Oct 2004 13:01 GMT

> Hi all;
> I'm not au fait when it comes to mobile phones. I'm trying to find out
> about pre-paid sim cards and how they apply to my Nokia 5110.

The 5110 is a good phone, very popular in its day. There must be
millions sitting idle in drawers.

Yours is not locked. Only prepaids are locked in Aus. (Any recent
exceptions??) So any pre-paid will do.

See www.isim.com.au for a cheap pre-paid. Credit is good for six months.
Others may have 12 months credit, but much higher call rates. I don't
think anyone still has a pre-paid with unlimited time to use credits.

Reply to this Message

Rod Speed - 26 Oct 2004 20:35 GMT

> I'm not au fait when it comes to mobile phones. I'm trying to find out
> about pre-paid sim cards and how they apply to my Nokia 5110.

> I got this phone a few years ago on Optus's $9.90 per
> month plan, on a two year contract. At the end of the
> contract I just cancelled it as I had only used the phone
> a few times over the two years. They said keep the phone.

> It's just sat in my desk for the last few years - a waste.
> I'd like to have it available for emergencies. Someone
> said that I should put in a pre-paid sim card in it.

Worth asking Optus if they will put it on their Usage Only Plan.

They certainly will if you hadnt let the contract
expire and likely will allow it now too.

Main advantage over prepaid is that you just pay for calls
you make, no effective access fee like all the prepaids have.

> My internet searches said something like Nokia's
> 5110 can be locked into the phone provider.

Those that Optus sold on that $10 month plan werent.

> Is it locked into Optus. How do I unlock it?

You wont need to.

> Does the new pre-paid sim card overcome this?

Nope, a lock prevents the use of a different prepaid sim.

> Where do I get pre-paid sim cards?

Almost anywhere, post office, woolys kmart etc.

> What does it cost?

The best value currently is $20 with $20 of calls included.
http://www.isim.com.au
part of optus.

> I'm sure these questions are VERY simplistic
> but I haven't had much luck in my searches...

Reply to this Message

Paul Wright - 27 Oct 2004 01:30 GMT

The handset will be unlocked, you can put any simcard into it,

You just need to pickup a prepaid starter kit which will include a new
simcard, a new mobile number and a set amount of preloaded credit, you put
the simcard in the phone and follow the activations instructions, the
carrier will take your details for there records and enable your new phone
number. The credit will expire after a period of time, six months is the
norm, you top up the service when you run out of funds or your access time
is coming near. The credit rolls over on all cases except for the vodafone
capped offers if you recharge before the expiry date. Theres quite a few
options and they all have different call rates and bonus options,

www.optus.com.au/prepaid 30c for 10 mins capped after 8pm to any phone or
free calls optus prepaid to optus prepaid (e.g 300 mins with a $30 recharge)
, 6 month expiry on credit

www.telstraprepaidplus.com.au 1c per minute upto 15 mins, plus 20c
connection fee after 9pm to any mobile, 6 month expiry on $30 top up

www.isim.com.au flat rate per min charged by the second, 6 monthly expire
on credit, min $10 recharge, Signup via Credit Card Online only

www.vodagone.com.au Redsim 365 Days Option, $30 connection which expires
in 60 days, then $20 recharges that last 365 Days, flat rate of 1c per
second, 20c connection fee

Theres a few other options around like aapt, but they are the main ones, you
can pick up starter kits at a post office, woolworths/safeway etc

> Hi all;
> I'm not au fait when it comes to mobile phones. I'm trying to find out
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Thanks,
> Norm

Reply to this Message