SMS from 'EE' re. Upgrading 5G SIM

[hawkerpaul]

Hi

My wife recently received the following SMS from EE number 66033:

I've only ever received EE SMS from number 150 before. Is this SMS genuine or a scam?  We are both on quite old SIMs but I've not received this message, only my wife. 

If genuine, would I be eligible for a standalone SIM too? (I purchased a Pixel 9 XL Pro about a year ago through EE). If so, how would I go about getting one?

Thanks

Paul

[bristolian]

That's a genuine message from EE, scammers would often want you to "click here" to do whatever and/or threaten dire consequences if you don't do as requested. There's no evidence of either of those.

All EE SIMs are multi-technology and support 2G, 4G & 5G, but 5G comes in two variants. "Non-standalone" means 5G still operates in parallel with 4G and relies on 4G as a base layer. "Standalone" means 5G operates solus where available whilst still falling back to 4G where coverage dictates.

Some SIMs pre-2021 only support 5G in NSA mode, this text message suggests yours is one of these.

[hawkerpaul]

Thanks @bristolian 

So do you think that I should be entitled to one too then, being on a Pixel 9XL Pro for the last year through EE? If so would I have to wait for this SMS to instigate it or can I apply for one manually?

[Ritu_D]

Thanks for getting back to us @hawkerpaul 

You can sign in online and check out your deals via the EE Shop or Contact Us and speak to our guides. 

Thank you 

Ritu 

[bristolian]

Not sure what you mean by applying for a SIM manually.

I would assume that, by virtue of having received that text, your SIM is only supporting 5G-NSA. Voice calls will likely still be using 4G (VoLTE) rather than 5G/NR (VoNR). A good test would be checking your phone's network settings and see whether Standalone-5G/Voice over 5G is an option, and whether you can select it.

Being greyed out is often a good sign of your SIM not supporting SA. Or check the top-line of your phone when on a call and see whether VoLTE or VoNR is displayed.

[hawkerpaul]

@bristolian 

As in, my wife got that SMS, so she can get that sim by replying YES to the message,

I've not had that SMS, so can I apply manually?

[Matt_124 · Accepted solution]

All SIMs dispatched by EE since around 2021 are 5G Standalone/5G+ capable, but you would also need a plan which includes access to 5G+/5G Standalone and to be in a 5G+ area to benefit from this.

More information on 5G+ can be found here: https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/manage-use/using-phone-features/5G-plus 

Replacement physical SIMs cost £1.50 when ordered online or over the phone, but are free of charge when going to an EE Retail Store with a UK Drivers Licence/Passport.

eSIM replacements ordered through the EE App for Instant Download are free of charge, however I personally prefer to use a physical SIM as it is easier to transfer.