Invalid SIM on old Nokia phone

thesled · ‎09-05-2023

Hi

EE have sent me a new EE-branded SIM card for some reason, probably something to do with the 3G switchoff.

I put it in my old Nokia phone and it just says 'Invalid SIM' and the phone pretty much stops dead. I had a text message to a 'New Sim' page but none of that seems to make much sense.

If I put my old ORANGE brand SIM back in it's fine and works OK.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Nemu · ‎13-05-2023

As original sim now disabled by EE. I can’t call EE

Why can’t I just do it on the EE website ,

have you reported the IMEI / unlock web as faulty to your EE colleagues to get the web site fixed

Christopher_G · ‎13-05-2023

I haven't reported it as it seems to be working OK when I try it, @Nemu. Have you tried on a different device or browser?

Are you logged into your My EE account when you try to check?

Chris

thesled · ‎13-05-2023

Hi ALL

Nemu, I think you have the exact same problem as me. Old phone still locked to Orange. I don't have an unlocked phone handy to try the EE SIM in, but I expect it would work fine.

You all would not believe the reply I've had from my actual official complaint to EE. They said

1) I ordered a new EE SIM, which I didn't. I only asked for the one they sent me (for their own reasons) to be activated. This process then stopped my original Orange SIM from working.

2) EE are saying they 'Can't reverse the Order' (there was no order) so they can't get my old Orange SIM working again, although I doubt this is in reality more than a mouse click away.

3) They are sending me to Nokia to try and get the phone unlocked ! I can see where THAT's going to end up - probably nowhere.

And they are offering me - guess what - an Upgrade! - which will no doubt just be a new phone at full cost. No mention of ANY discount. In other words nothing has changed.

I got hold of a new O2 SIM to try as you can get these for next to nothing - guess what - INVALID SIM. The phone is deffo locked to Orange. The point is, when EE took over Orange they inherited all these phones and as far as I'm concerned they have a legal responsibility to original Orange users to maintain the database and provide an unlock if requested. So I will be pursuing my complaint.

They can either switch my old Orange SIM back on and they can unlock my phone in some way, or they can pay my costs to get a third party to unlock it, or I will be claiming significant compensation towards a new phone.

thesled · ‎15-05-2023

So EE have now told me they can't reverse my SIM card switch (more like won't), can't unlock my phone from Orange and have offered me a miserly £25 compensation.

As I've got to now get a replacement phone I've said 'no way'. Not enough.

James_B · ‎15-05-2023

Hi @thesled,

I'm sorry to hear the manufacturer can no longer supply unlocking codes for your particular phone. This is rare, but can happen with very old devices.

We have 4G compatible pay as you go phones available from £14.99 in our online shop. These would work with your updated SIM card and future proof your service for the 3G switch off.

James

thesled · ‎17-05-2023

I can't believe a £15 phone would be any other than rubbish.

One thing about my Nokia, it's certainly wasn't that cheap but it's lasted around 15 years. I won't get that for £15.

In terms of my complaint, EE now seems to be ghosting me. I replied saying I wasn't accepting the £25 offer, and haven't heard a dickie bird from them since.

James_B · ‎17-05-2023

Hi @thesled,

Our Customer Care Team will be happy to update you on the progress of your complaint if you get in touch.

James

vpn2025 · ‎17-03-2024

you never needed that new sim card, that old phone will be 2g, which is not been turned off yet, ee should have made it clear you did not need to use the new sim if your phone is only 2g