EE sim card only connects to virgin media

[T-Bird]

Using a big buttin phone with basic functions.

All works but the network only picks up virgin media and not EE

Please advise

[bristolian]

Hi @T-Bird 

Welcome to the EE community

What phone do you have? If the screen is showing "Virgin Media" as opposed to "Virgin Mobile", this would suggest it's connecting to a Virgin broadband/WiFi network.

There are some scenarios where "Virgin Mobile" could be expected, but you've mentioned "all works" which I take to mean you can make & receive calls & text messages ok.

[T-Bird]

My Mum's phone is an Uleway Big Button Flip phone.

You can use the phone but even if you manually search for network it only offers O2, Lebraco or Virgin Media. BUT only virgin will register/connect! 

[bristolian]

Virgin Mobile a virtual network operator who don't have a radio network of their own, but piggyback onto an existing network, much like Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff , Asda Mobile etc.

Historically V-Mobile used EE and there are circumstances where old SIM/device combinations would display "Virgin Mobile" inplace of "Orange" or "EE" - however I'd expect "Virgin Mobile" not "Virgin Media" hence my previous comment about broadband.

Edited to add that if the phone shows "Lebara", that's a VF-MVNO so - to keep things simple - this looks like a device issue that just affects the displayed network name and has no other impact.

You could try putting the SIM into another phone, and/or another SIM into this phone, to prove the theory.

[T-Bird]

Thank you so much for your help.

I'm inclined to agree with you as it does appear to work fine. Topped up £10 today and it has repgistered in the EE account for the phone! 

Appreciate your advice 🙂