topic Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK??? in SIM cards & Porting

EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:27:11 GMT

I've just bought a fourth mobile, the other three still being in use, and have discovered that the EU has some kind of limit on how many any one person can use/possess in the UK (I think the maximum is three, but the EU has no jurisdiction in the UK!!). I still need to search for more information about this, but does anyone here know anything more about this quirky issue? If so, I'd really appreciate some comeback, as my new mobile is showing a red circle with a diagonal line in it, with a message saying "EE - Insert SIM), even though I've already done that, registered, topped up, and can make calls on it. It's driving me mad, and the many contacts I made with EE yesterday didn't have a clue as to why that's happening. Many thanks, and have a good day.🤔

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

XRaySpeX — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:36:55 GMT

You're dreaming! There's no such limit. How can there be? Your issue is purely to do with your own phone & SIM.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Schockwave — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:46:52 GMT

@Patricia55 I would suggest checking your settings to make sure that nothing is blocked. You actually say you can make calls, and from what I have read, you have been able to use the phone, so try rebooting your phone, take the SIM card out, clean the SIM card slot and give the SIM card a wipe and see if that resolves it, as there is no such limit as to how many phones/SIM cards one person has, at least never heard that one.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:58:21 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I wish I was dreaming, but I came across that information last night whilst roaming around all sorts of places trying to find out more about the blocked symbol on my new mobile. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I found it, as I had spent so many hours searching around that my head imploded with so much intake. The phone and SIM are both fine, so the problem doesn't lie there, but I appreciate your comeback. Take care.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:15:43 GMT

Many thanks for your suggestions, all of which I tried several times last night, but to no avail. At this point, I'm exhausted from many hours of trying to solve this peculiar issue, which I've never come across before, so I'm going to leave it for a few days because I need a break from doing my head in. It's just that I won't give up on finding out what that block symbol means, why it's there, and why my new phone isn't showing EE as the network which I'm now using on it. It doesn't show any network, yet it's working!

NB - When I opened the package, I found a Vodafone SIM card already with it, but had already purchase an EE SIM for it, so didn't insert the Vodafone one as I've never used that service and wanted EE only. EE helpline said it can't be blocked by Vodafone, when I asked, so the symbol doesn't make any sense to them either. C'est la vie! When (if) I solve this, I'll let you know. Thanks again, and have a good day.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Mustrum — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:22:00 GMT

Which phone do you have?

Are you able to post a pic of the error?

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:53:41 GMT

I only use mobiles for calls and texting for when I'm outdoors, and always on the PAYG package, as I only use the internet on my PC at home (where I am now), and don't make many calls on it. It's a simple phone for easy and cheap use, i.e. alcatel 2057D (2-SIM availability, but only one in use).

I'm sorry I can't send you an image of the phone's screen, but where the usual signal symbol is, it should show EE next to it. Instead, it shows a SIM card symbol with the red block circle over it, with a scrolling message directly below it saying "EE - Insert SIM", which doesn't make any sense at all. Whenever I open the phone (it's a fold-up one) the message "Unlock" shows for a few seconds, then disappears without me having to do anything. I checked the settings so many times, reset it, and everything else under the sun, but without any luck. I won't give up until I find the answer, but EE helpline (online chat and phone calls) couldn't work out why that's happening.

I know it's a very simple phone, and am glad that it seems to be working okay (so far), but there has to be an answer to this, and none of the "experts" seems to have a clue as to how to solve it. So much for modern technology! Many thanks for your effort to help me, and I'll bet there's a very straightforward answer to this quirky little puzzle. Take care.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Mustrum — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:01:05 GMT

@Patricia55 It may be just looking for a second sim?

Have you tried the sim in the other slot?

I will have a look to see if there is anything in the manual.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Mustrum — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:05:08 GMT

This might be the answer:

9.5 Dual SIM settings(1)
You can set Dual SIM open, Only SIM 1 open or Only SIM 2 open

What do you have it set to?

Alcatel-2057X_2057D_UM_EN_V1_20220105.pdf (alcatelmobile.com)

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

XRaySpeX — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:10:37 GMT

When did you buy the EE PAYG SIM? When did you last use it before putting it in this phone?

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:11:17 GMT

I suppose that's possible, but I somehow don't think so. Yes, I tried the SIM in the second slot, but nothing changed. I also searched for the manual and couldn't find anything helpful in it, but it wouldn't surprise me if you do.😉 I also tried inserting the SIM into another mobile, but it then asked for a password (that wasn't the exact word, but I can't remember what it was), so I tried using the PIN and that didn't work. Thanks again, Mustrum.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:17:29 GMT

I already tried that last night, and it showed "Only SIM 1 open", but I'll go and have another look at it shortly. Right now, I need a coffee break, so I'll get back to you afterwards. Thanks again.😊

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:18:50 GMT

I bought the EE SIM card yesterday, at the same time as I bought the phone, and had never used it in any other phone as it was brand new.

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:50:22 GMT

I had a strong feeling that you would solve this mystery, and I was right. Well done!!!

After finding things exactly as I had countless times since yesterday, I decided I'd try and insert the Vodafone SIM card into Slot 2, even though I'm never going to use it, and leaving the EE one as it was in Slot 1. I did that with some trepidation because I was worried it might mess the phone up altogether, mixing two different networks at the same time. When I switched the phone back on, the block symbol had gone!! Whoopeeeeee!

I then tried using both SIMs to call my other phone. The EE one (Slot 1) worked fine, but the Vodafone one (Slot 2) voiced a message saying "You've run out of credit, blah, blah" (which I didn't have in the first place). You asked me the right question at the right time, and triggered my last resort before finally giving up (which I never do easily). Thank you very much!!

Mind you, solving that quirky little puzzle raises other questions in my mind (not that it matters now).....I wonder if that block symbol would have shown if the phone only had one slot for one SIM? Either way, would the phone have only wanted to accept the Vodafone SIM? I think that would have made me want to smash the phone at that stage!

Anyway, THANK YOU!!! Now I'll get on with the rest of my day, and hope you'll do the same with a big smile on your face. Take care, Pat🏆🔔🎺🎶📲📳💎😊

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Mustrum — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 14:00:25 GMT

@Patricia55 glad the problem is sorted.

I can't help feeling the Only Sim 1 option should have sorted it, if you get really bored you could go back to the shop to see if another phone does the same thing! 😀

Re: EU restrictions on handsets in the UK???

Patricia55 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 14:08:06 GMT

Nope! The last 24 hours has been enough to do me for at least another few years! However, your contribution has been a great help and, most of all, I've learnt something new today which, at the age of 72, I still enjoy doing. Take care.😉