Vodafone SIM in a telecom samsung gt-5511t

Forums › Mobile handsets › Vodafone SIM in a telecom samsung gt-5511t

howienz

56 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Subscriber

Topic # 165838 22-Feb-2015 13:24

I've just purchased a 4G prepaid sim today and inserted into a (telecom) samsung gt-5511t but its not recognising the sim card. I use to have an old prepaid vodafone sim that my son used in this phone and it worked perfectly - I'm suspecting the new sim has some properties that are not compatible with this old phone??!!

Please tell me I'm wrong and theres a simple solution to this problem.

Cheers
Maurice

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
61832 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12480

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1244110 22-Feb-2015 13:28

This phone is 3G only, so don't expect 4G.

Also it's likely 850 MHz / 2100 MHz when Vodafone would need to be 900 MHz / 2100 MHz. My guess is there's only 900 MHz Vodafone coverage and no 2100 MHz coverage where you are therefore it won't get any Vodafone service.

Also, was this phone always with your son, or was it purchased second hand? Any chance it was purchased somewhere and blocked later? Try the IMEI Checker to see if the phone is not blocked.

Backblaze cloud backup (personal and business) | Geekzone broadband switch | Amazon (Geekzone aff) | MightyApe (Geekzone aff) |

My technology disclosure | Business Transformation | Enterprise Content Management | Customer Relationship Management | Sharesies investment fund

howienz

56 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Subscriber

Reply # 1244116 22-Feb-2015 13:44

freitasm: This phone is 3G only, so don't expect 4G.

Also it's likely 850 MHz / 2100 MHz when Vodafone would need to be 900 MHz / 2100 MHz. My guess is there's only 900 MHz Vodafone coverage and no 2100 MHz coverage where you are therefore it won't get any Vodafone service.

Also, was this phone always with your son, or was it purchased second hand? Any chance it was purchased somewhere and blocked later? Try the IMEI Checker to see if the phone is not blocked.

Oh, right...i had no intention to use a 4G, the sim was offered at stationary warehouse so purchased it (ignorantly) without thinking!!

I'm in Mt Eden, Auckland so not sure whether thats a hinderance...?

Checked IMEI link and its not black listed.

It was an old work phone of mine that i use as a 'hand me down' - its now the youngest turn to experience a mobile phone...but maybe not this one...?

Thanks

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
61832 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12480

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1244118 22-Feb-2015 13:45

Might get a proper Vodafone handset then.

Backblaze cloud backup (personal and business) | Geekzone broadband switch | Amazon (Geekzone aff) | MightyApe (Geekzone aff) |

My technology disclosure | Business Transformation | Enterprise Content Management | Customer Relationship Management | Sharesies investment fund

Stu

Hammered
5096 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1076

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1244121 22-Feb-2015 13:55

One person supports this post

Or get a Spark SIM for the phone.

ETA: Or a Skinny SIM. Cheap prepay on the Spark network.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

howienz

56 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Subscriber

Reply # 1244261 22-Feb-2015 17:11

Well, what a performance I put myself through...warehouse stationery very kindly replaced the voda card for a skinny - got home and re-tried the GT and came up with same error - foolishly hadn't checked compatibility on skinny site!

Fished through some cupboards (I hadn't visited in a while) and found a Nokia 7390, recharged, inserted card and voila! its worked.
One happy son - although he might not look quite as good as some of his classroom (form 1) students devices - apparently one boy has an iPhone 6!

Cheers

Stu

Hammered
5096 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1076

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1244287 22-Feb-2015 18:08

2 people support this post

Firstly, Skinny uses the Spark network. If the phone works on one, it should work on the other (unless the phone is SIM locked to one network). There is a chance your old phone is locked to working with Telecom/Spark, but not sure on this one. Something is definitely going on.

Secondly, please check but I'm pretty sure the 7390 only supports 2100MHz UMTS (common in old 3G Vodafone phones). It is not designed for the Spark network (again, used by Skinny). You'll need a phone that supports 850MHz or your son will find the phone won't work everywhere Skinny/Spark has coverage. 2100MHz is not implemented across the whole Spark network. If the phone is for him to call home and/or for safety reasons, it might pay to confirm this. Might not be as flash as his classmates iPhone 6, but it'll be worse for him if it doesn't actually work when at school ;-)

You can get phones for Skinny from The Warehouse from as little as $19.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.