PAYG 3G - 4G SIM issues

[Nobbyallen]

I have had a 3G PAYG SIM for the last 20 years that I only use when I'm in the UK, as my Jersey mobile charges for roaming.   EE stopped supporting 3g, so I called to request a new 4G SIM, however as the new SIM card had to be posted to my home address, I wasn't able to try it out until the next time I was in the UK (3 months later).   When I next arrived in the UK, I had exactly the same message stating that 3g was no longer supported etc etc... so I called EE again and got another new SIM issued. 

I've been through this process 3 times now (with 3 new SIM cards), and each time I arrive in the UK, I get told that my 3g SIM is not supported, so I cannot get any data.  Am I missing something obvious?  Is it due to the gap between receiving the new SIM and actually using it?

Any help gratefully received.

[bristolian]

It's unusual for older SIMs to actually be the cause of mobile data issues - any SIM that's EE-branded should be sufficient. That said, you mention a "message stating that 3g was no longer supported" - what form does this message take? Is it an on-screen popup when you try using data? is it a text message?

The crucial factor, I suspect, is your phone - what model are you using? A non-4G phone has always used 2G as a fallback when 3G isn't available, the difference since January 2024 is that 3G is now non-existent nationally. In these cases, usage will be over 2G - which is only really usable for voice calls & texts.

[Nobbyallen]

Thanks for the response.

The notification comes in the form of a text message.  I'm using an iphone 7 for this SIM, but have also tried it in my other iphone SE, both of which have 4g capability.  I've also checked that the phone is set to 4g.

I then phone up the EE centre who confirm that they need to send me a new SIM to my home address (in Jersey).  However, it's usually around 3 months before I'm back in the UK, at which the same message appears and I can only use calls and texts, and aren't able to buy any packs.   This has happened with 3 new SIMs that have been sent to me.

I have been into an EE shop and got a new SIM, which solved the problem.   However, as I'm PAYG, EE said that they can't transfer my number to the new SIM, and that a new one has to be sent to my home address.  

[James_B]

Hi @Nobbyallen,

Our Customer Care Team will be able to switch your number over to the new SIM if you get in touch on 150.

James