Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 24

New VisorPhone and "old" SIM card?

My Visorphone antenna came out when I (stupidly) used it to remove my Prism from the case. This was in June of this year. I just popped it back in and the phone worked fine until two weeks ago - now I cannot connect to the T-Mobile network. The VP is not holding a charge, either. So, its battery may be dying. This after only 14 months of minimal use and I never turned the phone on unless I was actually using it.

I called T-Mobile to cancel my account with them. My gameplan was to order a new VisorPhone from Handspring with a new T-Mobile service contract, thus getting the VisorPhone for free. According to the CSR at T-Mobile, I might have to wait up to 90 days before I could open an account with them as a "new customer." What he offered, and what I am taking advantage of: he has credited my T-Mobile account with $100.00, I get to keep my existing phone number, and, I am getting the VisorPhone for free. The CSR explained that it costs T-Mobile approximately $400 to set up and discontinue a customer's service, so, to them, $100. is the better deal all the way around. They keep a customer and my service is uninterrupted.

My question: can I (actually, should I) use the SIM card from the broken VP or, do I use the new SIM card that comes with the new VisorPhone?

Thanks.

Lynne

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Pasig, Philippines
Posts: 12

I don't think you're getting a new SIM with the new VP. T-Mobile will likely give you a VP with no SIM, expecting you to use the old SIM. After all, you're using the same number, ergo same SIM. If on the off-chance you are getting a new SIM, you can use the old SIM until the new one kicks is activated. I really doubt they'll kill your old SIM when they ship the VP (if it does come with a new SIM). They're more likely to ship the VP + new SIM, then maybe wait for you to acknowledge receipt so they can then kill the old SIM and activate the new one.

Hope this helps.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 24

SIMs Info

This helps immensely - I thank you.

Lynne

__________________
Change is good. You go first. (Dilbert)

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

BRAVO T-MOBILE!

WOW! A Customer Service Rep who actually tries to work with the customer and does something that make sense, instead of saying, "I am sorry, but those are the rules."

I was wavering between T-Mobile and ATT Wireless (my only choices for GSM service in the St. Louis area, since Cingular has, once again, put off the start date for their GSM service). But now it sounds like T-Mobile is a company that actually cares about their customers. Besides, ATT's GSM plans do not offer a low-price (no, not bottom price) plan that also has free weekends, when I am likely to be most active with my mobile phone. The ATT plans which use their old TDMA system offer all kinds of incentives including "Free Nights and Weekends for Life", which seems to be pretty bold, but I did not see anything like that on the GSM plans, which included GSM only, as well as "Multi-Band", i.e. GSM and TDMA accessibility with a multi-mode phone. That would have been so cool, but without unlimited weekends, I would probably burn through my 300 minutes in no time.

Also, with T-Mobile I can get free nationwide roaming on a low 29.95 plan, WOW! So when I visit my brothers in Houston or San Diego I won't pay through the nose for a "local" call. Plus, T-Mobile seems to have good access along most of the interstate highways and metro areas, so as long as I don't head off into the boonies I'll be OK.

Now, as long as they keep those ISDN lines open for internet access.....

__________________
The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 24

Update: Using the "old" SIM card w/new VisorPhone

Just thought I'd update you on what happened with all of this. My new VisorPhone arrived today (I ordered it on Saturday, Oct. 12th, online from HS site).

Silverlokk, you were right on - the new phone, ordered without a service agreement, arrived with no SIM card. I simply removed the card from the broken VP, inserted it into the new VP and I was up and running. I am using the old VP battery - will keep the new one as a spare until the old one bites the dust. I have no idea what the life of these are. I purchased the original VP in July 2001 and rarely use the phone - my minutes per month average at 120 minutes, generally less than that, which I don't consider as "heavy" useage.

So, if VoiceStream/T-Mobile doesn't screw up the $100 credit, this is indeed a "good deal" as far as I am concerned. Free phone and uninterrupted service with VS/T-M. I forgot to mention, however, that VS/T-M is treating this as a new one-year service contract, so, I'm locked in for one year with them. I can live with that. Their $19.95/mo plan is ideal given my minimal useage of the phone.

Lynne

__________________
Change is good. You go first. (Dilbert)