[rikesh]

Hello,

Before we begin, this is not your usual 'wait 24 hours'. Here is the sequence of events...

1. Number is on Orange PAYG. Everything works fine!

2. Saw a great deal from Virgin Mobile, decided to transfer. Got the PAC code from Orange and moved across to Virgin Mobile. Seemed like the port had gone through, calls were working and texts were being received to the correct number. But I could not send outgoing SMS.

3. After waiting 7 days, I called Virgin Mobile who, after many 'troubleshooting steps', said they would file a report with T-mobile. I proceeded to ask for my PAC code, thinking it must be a network issue (I know, Virgin Mobile runs off the Orange/T-mobile network, but...).

4. Number ported back to Orange PAYG. However, the problem persists 7 days later! Can make/receive calls and receive SMS ok. But I can't send SMS!

I have obviously tried:

• SIM in another handset
• Different SIM in this handset
• Automatic/Manual network selection - both Orange & T-mobile

I am beginning to think that, somewhere during the first port, the SMS service hasn't been transferred properly and now it is lost forever.

Advice please? Customer service has nothing useful to say.

Many thanks.

[princesstech]

Sounds like you need to check your Message Centre Number. Check with your providers website for the correct number.

If you can make and receive calls then you haven't lost the service. Porting numbers can make things go a bit screwy at times.

(I am an ex technical support advisor at a mobile phone company)

[psionic]

If your phone has internet access try going to http://setuporange.wdsglobal.com

[rikesh]

Centre number is normal for Orange. Trust me, I've tried all this!

That webpage will send settings for various things (e.g. MMS, GPRS, etc.). All the settings on my phone are correct and more importantly SMS is only dependent on the centre number - which is correct.

Appreciate your responses gentlemen. Please suggest anything else?

[princesstech]

Hmm not a gentleman last time I looked.

Seriously though, if you can receive SMS then it has to be the Message Centre Number. What phone do you have? Some phones are trickier than others.

I am not being flippant here but I have worked with mobile phone troubleshooting since 2000. If you are totally sure the centre number is correct I would try a hard reset of your phone and if that fails contact the manufacturer as a possible handset fault.

[rikesh]

Originally Posted by rikesh

I have obviously tried:

• SIM in another handset
• Different SIM in this handset...

Just so you're aware there's nothing wrong with the handset.

Originally Posted by princesstech

Hmm not a gentleman last time I looked.

My apologies - realised soon after I'd submitted my post, but the edit button disappears once someone's replied!

Originally Posted by princesstech

Seriously though, if you can receive SMS then it has to be the Message Centre Number.

Using the correct Orange PAYG centre number: +447973100973; have tried using GSM and GPRS (Packet data).

Originally Posted by princesstech

What phone do you have? Some phones are trickier than others.

No problems with the handset and to verify I have tried another Orange SIM in this handset (works fine). Also tried the 'problem SIM' in 2 other handsets (both of which usually work fine, but don't send texts with this SIM).

Handsets: Nokia 6070, 6230 and iPhone 4.

Thanks again.

[princesstech]

Your next step will be to go into an orange store so they can repeat the tests you have done, if that still fails then ask for the technical team to look into it.

They will need examples, at least 5 over a 24 hour period, the number you are attempting to text, the date and time, the postcode of where you are when you try.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried to text yourself? ie from that number to that number (sounds daft I know)

It may be a faulty sim but more likely something nerdy that tech need to see. I can however reassure you that you will not have lost it forever. Just may need a bit more poking about with tools that I don't have

Let us know though.

[jumtxec]

I'm not sure whether this is the same problem as you're having because you've ported your number but I have been unable send texts on my orange phone since Saturday 21st July. I can receive calls and make calls, and receive texts fine though. Have called Orange CS many times and been told it's an issue affecting many Orange customers and just to wait it out until it's resolved. Bit annoying really because I'm paying to have unlimited texts and not getting such a basic service for over a week. Very strange that it's taking so long to fix.

[japitts]

Is it worth asking a very basic (but critical for troubleshooting) question...

What happens when you attempt to send texts? Error message? Message sends but doesn't receive?

Have you tried deliberately breaking your outgoing message settings, and "mending" them again?... Corrupt data somewhere...

[jumtxec]

Orange's outgoing sms fault has been fixed today (touch wood it stays that way), will be interesting to see if this was the fault affecting the OP.

[rikesh]

Originally Posted by jumtxec

Orange's outgoing sms fault has been fixed today (touch wood it stays that way), will be interesting to see if this was the fault affecting the OP.

Oh and it works!

Got to admire the coincidence in timing. Or *conspiracy theory* perhaps this Orange issue was the cause of the original problem when porting to Virgin Mobile.

We will never know...

Thanks for all your help everyone