What happens to my current SIM while waiting for a new SIM?

[Amin92]

Hi, 

I completed a 24 month 4G 30GB contract last year and I've been on a month to month contract since that 24 month contract ended. Today is the last day of my billing month for Feb-March and I'm considering upgrading to a SIM only 24 month 5G Unlimited Data Plan to use with my current phone (Huawei P20 Pro). Having got to the checkout page, it dawned on me that I will need a new physical SIM because I'm going onto a 5G plan from my current 4G plan, even though I won't be able to use 5G on my current phone. 

My question is, if I order the upgrade today, will I still be able to use data on my existing SIM between the order being placed and the time I receive the new SIM, bearing in mind that my data resets at midnight tonight?

Also, how will my bill be calculated for the first month of my upgraded plan if I use my current plan for the few days it takes my new SIM to arrive?

Thank you. 

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

Hi @Amin92 and welcome to the EE community

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it dawned on me that I will need a new physical SIM because I'm going onto a 5G plan from my current 4G plan, even though I won't be able to use 5G on my current phone. 

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This may have been correct for a 3G migration in the past, but is no longer true.

EE SIMs are capable of working on all radio technologies from 2G>5G, all you are doing is a simple change of payment plan which will include enabling 5G access on your existing SIM.

[Amin92]

Thanks bristolian,

So that means once the order goes through, the upgrade will be seamless on my current SIM? 

[bristolian]

If you were to make this change over the phone to a C/S agent, it is normally effective immediately and your bill will have pro-rata credits & charges to reflect the mid-bill-cycle change.

If you make the change online, it may take a day or so to be manually actioned, but otherwise the same concept should apply.

[Amin92]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.