[bluechang]

I have just received two free sim cards from Three with which I will be using one to transfer my number from ASDA for my android phone - I popped into the Three store a few days ago and purchased a top up in advance (not sure why I did that as I could have just topped it up with my card but hey ho)

What they guy in the shop said was that the sims would take 30 minutes from switching on, to actually receiving a signal - I put one in a spare 3g handset and switched it on and waited the obligatory 30 minutes - tried network update on nokia handset, but still nothing. So I then tried my old E63 (2nd phone) - tried again with the first sim - this still isn't working again after 30 minutes.

After this I then tried the other sim card I received in the first handset - waited 30 minutes and again nothing - tried the hard reset (pulling battery from phone and network update, but that (this time and the times before) wouldn't let me log onto the 3 network after trying a different Network.

Hope this is making sense

Now, 4 and a half hours later, I have two handsets in front of me, A nokia 5230 and a Nokia E63, both showing no signal and no access to the Three network - Its like the two sims they provided have been supplied blank, with no number attached to them.

Besides a phone call in the morning, is there anything else I could try to get these sims sorted out? I don't want to have to re top up my asda sim as I have the PAC code for my number, but I don't want to have to wait on Three to send out more sim cards.

Please help

and

Many thanks in advance

[TX-UK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluechang

I have just received two free sim cards from Three with which I will be using one to transfer my number from ASDA for my android phone - I popped into the Three store a few days ago and purchased a top up in advance (not sure why I did that as I could have just topped it up with my card but hey ho)

What they guy in the shop said was that the sims would take 30 minutes from switching on, to actually receiving a signal - I put one in a spare 3g handset and switched it on and waited the obligatory 30 minutes - tried network update on nokia handset, but still nothing. So I then tried my old E63 (2nd phone) - tried again with the first sim - this still isn't working again after 30 minutes.

After this I then tried the other sim card I received in the first handset - waited 30 minutes and again nothing - tried the hard reset (pulling battery from phone and network update, but that (this time and the times before) wouldn't let me log onto the 3 network after trying a different Network.

Hope this is making sense

Now, 4 and a half hours later, I have two handsets in front of me, A nokia 5230 and a Nokia E63, both showing no signal and no access to the Three network - Its like the two sims they provided have been supplied blank, with no number attached to them.

Besides a phone call in the morning, is there anything else I could try to get these sims sorted out? I don't want to have to re top up my asda sim as I have the PAC code for my number, but I don't want to have to wait on Three to send out more sim cards.

Please help

and

Many thanks in advance

New 3 sims should be active and show service, however when you first make a call you Will hear a recorded message saying you're phone Will be activated soon. usually this is almost instant and a service text will be received. and after switching the phone off and back on it should be able to make and relieve calls and texts.

[TX-UK]

If this doesn't work the best thing to do is call 3 customer service. they really are nowhere near as bad as some people think. Simply speak clearly and try to avoid slang phrases and you should find the agents in India will help you in any way they can.

3 are improving all the time and while they have their faults as all companies do much of the criticism is based on their rocky start 8 years ago.

[bluechang]

Thanks to those who have replied. I gave 3 a call last night (about 30 minutes after posting this thread) to ask for advice. He confirmed that all four sims (I forgot to mention there were four sims, all of which were displaying the same issues) were not active/provisioned for services, so took all four numbers and their related ICCID's (sim card numbers) and sent them off to the tech support team or something. He said it would be upto 48 hours for these sims to be provisioned.

I switched off thew two handsets with the sims in and switched them both back on about 1am and low and behold, both phones started displaying signal and then received the first off two messages.

As it stands, both sims are fully active and working - not made a test call as I don't think there is any credit on either of the numbers, but at least they are now set up.

[TX-UK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluechang

Thanks to those who have replied. I gave 3 a call last night (about 30 minutes after posting this thread) to ask for advice. He confirmed that all four sims (I forgot to mention there were four sims, all of which were displaying the same issues) were not active/provisioned for services, so took all four numbers and their related ICCID's (sim card numbers) and sent them off to the tech support team or something. He said it would be upto 48 hours for these sims to be provisioned.

I switched off thew two handsets with the sims in and switched them both back on about 1am and low and behold, both phones started displaying signal and then received the first off two messages.

As it stands, both sims are fully active and working - not made a test call as I don't think there is any credit on either of the numbers, but at least they are now set up.

happy to help

[Thine Wonk]

See they aren't as bad as some will have you believe.

[bluechang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

See they aren't as bad as some will have you believe.

I have been with Three once before - when they first started up and at the time I thought they were one of the worst networks I could have ever signed up with (Lg U8120 anyone?!) But, I can say they gave a decent service last night - especially being able to call at Midnight and get to speak to somebody who could deal with the problem - the sims activated at 2am (that was when the texts came through anyway)

The only issue I do have with Three, and its nothing to do with network coverage, or their call centres - its the store staff - I went in wanting information and felt like I was being heavily pressured into taking a contract our when I didn't even ask about them (was asking about the PAYG add on bundles they are now doing) - If they eased up on the hard sell, then I think they have a good combination - bundles are great value, especially for PAYG and coverage seems good in my area.

[TheBigM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluechang

I have been with Three once before - when they first started up and at the time I thought they were one of the worst networks I could have ever signed up with (Lg U8120 anyone?!) But, I can say they gave a decent service last night - especially being able to call at Midnight and get to speak to somebody who could deal with the problem - the sims activated at 2am (that was when the texts came through anyway)

The only issue I do have with Three, and its nothing to do with network coverage, or their call centres - its the store staff - I went in wanting information and felt like I was being heavily pressured into taking a contract our when I didn't even ask about them (was asking about the PAYG add on bundles they are now doing) - If they eased up on the hard sell, then I think they have a good combination - bundles are great value, especially for PAYG and coverage seems good in my area.

I went into a Three store yesterday and the guy was really excellent. I felt like getting a contract on the spot. In the T-Mobile shop next to it, there was no-one in the shop. I had to call the guy to come out the back door and he was then sullen and wouldn't even look at me.

Orange were reasonably decent but the staff not as well informed.

[bluechang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigM

I went into a Three store yesterday and the guy was really excellent. I felt like getting a contract on the spot. In the T-Mobile shop next to it, there was no-one in the shop. I had to call the guy to come out the back door and he was then sullen and wouldn't even look at me.

Orange were reasonably decent but the staff not as well informed.

I suppose it differs in different store across the store and the a greater extent, the sales person you speak to. The one I got was intent on trying to sell me a contract that was unsuitable for my needs, just because it costs the same as PAYG except I get more minutes - how does he know if I am eligible to have a contract - him forcing the contract route down my neck could have been insulting if I'd have been a recent bankrupt or something (of which I am not I should point out) But then again, that sales person is your first point of contact with a potential new network and if that doesn't go down too well, that it can really sour the experience (if you know what I mean) Had I have gone into the store with the intention of buying a new mobile phone, I would probably have walked out of the shop and gone elsewhere as I don't like those sort of tactics (and that's the reason why i wont go into Phones4U as they jump on you as you walk in the door like a pack of hounds!)