MicroSIM - Availability?

ironclaw

Hi Folks,

Did some ringing around today but to no avail. My question is thus:

In Ireland, will anyone supply a MicroSIM? My 3 year old Vodafone SIM will not work in my new iPhone 4 (My brothers Vodafone SIM will, its about 1 year younger) An O2, Meteor and an AT&T SIM are recognised in the sim tray but not my Vodafone. The SIM Is fine as I can use it in another phone if aligned correctly. So it isn't damaged by cutting.

I'm going to Vodafone tomorrow to get a replacement to try again, but can anyone shed light on this? Someone on another thread said they went to Vodafone HQ?

Help greatly appreciated.

ironclaw

KeithM89_old

Went down to a Vodafone store yesterday and got a micro-SIM for my iPad - dunno if its different for phones then for just data plans though

ironclaw

Keithm89 wrote: »

Went down to a Vodafone store yesterday and got a micro-SIM for my iPad - dunno if its different for phones then for just data plans though

Brilliant. If you don't mind me asking which store? And did they know what you were talking about? Might try Dundrum as they are a slightly bigger store and get more foot fall.

I assume the SIM itself is the same. Its maybe just a software limitation on data / data & voice.

KeithM89_old

ironclaw wrote: »

Brilliant. If you don't mind me asking which store? And did they know what you were talking about? Might try Dundrum as they are a slightly bigger store and get more foot fall.

I assume the SIM itself is the same. Its maybe just a software limitation on data / data & voice.

I got it in a Vodafone store in Dundalk - apparently they only got them in a week ago and were very helpful but i did have to ring up Vodafone customer care to get an APN password

ironclaw

Keithm89 wrote: »

I got it in a Vodafone store in Dundalk - apparently they only got them in a week ago and were very helpful but i did have to ring up Vodafone customer care to get an APN password

Hmm... I wonder if I rang up and asked to transfer my number. As in get a replacement SIM card. Surely its the same process. They'd have to be geared up for the move for iPhone 4 in a few months anyway. At the end of the day, a MicroSIM is just a smaller SIM card.

If Dundalk have them, I'll ring around my local first. Fingers crossed!

Worst comes to worst I'll have to butcher another SIM.

Gregor Samsa

According to one of the Vodafone Reps on the Talk to Vodafone forum, you can do a straight swap (free of charge, I assume) from a regular SIM to a Micro SIM at any Vodafone store:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055940502

ironclaw

phutyle wrote: »

According to one of the Vodafone Reps on the Talk to Vodafone forum, you can do a straight swap (free of charge, I assume) from a regular SIM to a Micro SIM at any Vodafone store:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055940502

Great find. I'll ring first thing in the morning.

Lucious Sweet

I did a straight swap yesterday in my local Vodafone shop, old sim for micro sim, FOC.

BBMcQ

moz wrote: »

I did a straight swap yesterday in my local Vodafone shop, old sim for micro sim, FOC.

wow, O2 need to get on the bandwagon asap! I remember hearing that you can't just pop your iPad micro sim into your iPhone 4. It isn't set up for calls etc.

ironclaw

Update for Vodafone.

I'm PrePay. At the moment you cannot get a MicroSIM for the iPad or iPhone. You must sign a contract for the SIM which is then usable in the iPad or iPhone. I think you need to call however to let them know which your using it for.

I asked for a replacement MicroSIM for my regular SIM. No joy So I just got a new SIM and put it into my iPhone. Worked perfectly.

mad muffin

ironclaw wrote: »

Update for Vodafone.

I'm PrePay. At the moment you cannot get a MicroSIM for the iPad or iPhone. You must sign a contract for the SIM which is then usable in the iPad or iPhone. I think you need to call however to let them know which your using it for.

I asked for a replacement MicroSIM for my regular SIM. No joy So I just got a new SIM and put it into my iPhone. Worked perfectly.

Damn that's crap. I'm on O2 atm and was going to transver back to Vodafone for my iPhone 4. I guess I'll just have to cut up a regular sim.

bkehoe

I suggest you ask their forum reps if this is really the case or if they can make an exception. It's just a simple sim swap at the end of the day, all it is is a chip with a code That is why they went out of their way to supply those of us on their forums who had asked for the MicroSIMs, bypassing the shops.

mad muffin

bkehoe wrote: »

I suggest you ask their forum reps if this is really the case or if they can make an exception. It's just a simple sim swap at the end of the day, all it is is a chip with a code That is why they went out of their way to supply those of us on their forums who had asked for the MicroSIMs, bypassing the shops.

I asked on The Vodafone forum, lets see what they say.

MuhammadUmar

I had the same problem and was frustrated as I could not use my iphone 4 on the day I bought it.

I went thursday as soon as I arrived in Dublin to my locan Vodafone shop but they said that the cards are only for new data connections.

I spoke to Customer Care and she said the same. Then I contacted Darren of Vodafone via the Boards and he said he will post a micro sim to me. I did not receive it Friday and in the mean time on the Vodafone forums found out that all retail units have been sent a notification that it is now possible to give out micro sims to customers who already are with Vodafone.

Went to the local shop again but they did not know anything about it. I said call the HQ and the manager in the shop did and he was told that they can do a straight swap....

So at last I got my micro sim and since then enjoying my iphone 4 all the time.

Four of a kind

so what happens to us o2 PAYG customers who end up getting a sim free iphone 4? Will we not be able to get a microsim or what?

dougs09

i must go into the vodafone store monday and enquire about getting it swapped about, thing is, they're not reallly doing themselves much favours in only offering them for data, i hope they aint gonna get all high and mighty and refuse us, when all we have to do is butcher the sim anyway, so eitherway, its us who win.

i wouldnt be surprised if the networks were gonna only offer us micro sims as part of the iPhone tarriffs, when half of us have unlocked iPhones and using them for a lot less then what they offer the vodafone contract customers.

dougs09

i text my bro there to ask his wife about the micro sims as she works in vodafone so she might have some sort of idea

bkehoe

dougs09 wrote: »

i must go into the vodafone store monday and enquire about getting it swapped about, thing is, they're not reallly doing themselves much favours in only offering them for data, i hope they aint gonna get all high and mighty and refuse us, when all we have to do is butcher the sim anyway, so eitherway, its us who win.

i wouldnt be surprised if the networks were gonna only offer us micro sims as part of the iPhone tarriffs, when half of us have unlocked iPhones and using them for a lot less then what they offer the vodafone contract customers.

Hmm, there is no issue with MicroSIM availability for non-data purposes from Vodafone. There was initially a communication issue with the Retail end which meant the stores didn't get the instructions that they could issue MicroSIMs for simswaps (which has actually been available since last Monday), but Vodafone supplied them directly to many people who requested them (myself included) last week.

The only remaining uncertainty with Vodafone is that PAYG customers may have difficulty getting a MicroSIM simswap, but I suspect that is just the store staff's opinion and contacting one of their forum reps will resolve that.

TCP/IP

I swaped mine this morning in Newbridge no problem at all. Bill pay.

Four of a kind

Four of a kind wrote: »

so what happens to us o2 PAYG customers who end up getting a sim free iphone 4? Will we not be able to get a microsim or what?

Does anyone have the iphone 4 on o2 PAYG??

mad muffin

Four of a kind wrote: »

Does anyone have the iphone 4 on o2 PAYG??

Me. I got it in Belfast sim free and cut my O2 sim to size.

Four of a kind

mad muffin wrote: »

Me. I got it in Belfast sim free and cut my O2 sim to size.

Am thinking of getting one off ebay as I'm sure they won't be available in Ireland until Sept.

Creamy Goodness

Mr.S wrote: »

(backup your sim card just to be sure!)

People still have data on their sim cards in 2010? :pac:

ironclaw

Four of a kind wrote: »

so what happens to us o2 PAYG customers who end up getting a sim free iphone 4? Will we not be able to get a microsim or what?

I sincerely doubt O2 or Apple Ireland will sell the iPhone sim free. The UK is currently the only market they are SIM Free (Open to correction on that) It would be too damaging for business. Plus you'd be better off getting an iPhone plan. I'm SIM free simply because I need to change SIM's quite abit.

Remember, a MicroSIM is just a smaller normal SIM. I have cut 10 so far and with abit of patience you can make a MicroSIM.

I'll keep on it and when I get anywhere I'll post here.

Donnelly117

just take a scissors to a normal sim and cut it down to size...only takes 2 minutes

mad muffin

ironclaw wrote: »

I sincerely doubt O2 or Apple Ireland will sell the iPhone sim free. The UK is currently the only market they are SIM Free (Open to correction on that) It would be too damaging for business. Plus you'd be better off getting an iPhone plan. I'm SIM free simply because I need to change SIM's quite abit.

Remember, a MicroSIM is just a smaller normal SIM. I have cut 10 so far and with abit of patience you can make a MicroSIM.

I'll keep on it and when I get anywhere I'll post here.

iP4 will be sim free in Ireland.

BBMcQ

surely some unlock shop could make a small profit cutting sims to microsims? would prefer to get it done once perfectly for fiver or tenner than mess it up myself

cojomo2

stuartmchugh wrote: »

surely some unlock shop could make a small profit cutting sims to microsims? would prefer to get it done once perfectly for fiver or tenner than mess it up myself

http://www.macnotes.de/images/micro-sim-schablone-macnotes.pdf

open this PDF, print it out(make sure the size is at 100%,I think it comes up at 105% by default).

Cut out the sim template, glue to back of your sim. Now cut around the guide. Takes 1 minute, work perfectly...

The Big Gig

I've messed up 3 vodafone prepay sims. I'm convinced that there are different type of vodafone sims and that only the newer ones are able to be cut down to size. Going to try to get a swap on vodafone prepay!

culabula

Are O2 doing the same for their customers yet?

moralproduction

o2 northside have microsims to do sim swaps with now,if its any use to anyone

Gregor Samsa

ironclaw wrote: »

I sincerely doubt O2 or Apple Ireland will sell the iPhone sim free. The UK is currently the only market they are SIM Free (Open to correction on that)

Just as well you're open to correction, because you're wrong on both counts

US, UK and France Apple Stores all sell the iPhone 4 Sim Free (there may be more, I haven't checked).

Here's the page on the Irish Apple store for the iPhone. the 8GB 3GS is already available to buy SIM free, and the 4 is listed as "coming soon":

http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone

culabula

Got 2 microSIMs today. O2 was painless and was transferred within 2 minutes. Vodafone turned me down in 2 stores but I persevered and got one in store number 3 (PAYG). Nice to have such a good experience with Irish networks. O2UK have tried and failed to transfer my PAYG A/c 4 times with 3 microSIMS. Muppetry.

ironclaw

phutyle wrote: »

Just as well you're open to correction, because you're wrong on both counts

US, UK and France Apple Stores all sell the iPhone 4 Sim Free (there may be more, I haven't checked).

Here's the page on the Irish Apple store for the iPhone. the 8GB 3GS is already available to buy SIM free, and the 4 is listed as "coming soon":

http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone

Coming Soon in IRL doesn't mean SIM Free. I'd be surprised if it was offered SIM free given the close price between SIM Free and PAYG at the moment (Circa €600)

I've tried in 2 Vodafone Stores as a PAYG customer to get a MicroSIM. No joy.

"We only give MicroSIM's to new contracts as DATA only. €25 per month unlimited data etc"

culabula

ironclaw wrote: »

Coming Soon in IRL doesn't mean SIM Free. I'd be surprised if it was offered SIM free given the close price between SIM Free and PAYG at the moment (Circa €600)

I've tried in 2 Vodafone Stores as a PAYG customer to get a MicroSIM. No joy.

"We only give MicroSIM's to new contracts as DATA only. €25 per month unlimited data etc"

I think I would be forgiven for thinking that that meant the iphone 4 will be coming Sim-free.

I tried in 3 stores yesterday and got the microSIM on PAYG in the shop at the top of Grafton Street.

mad muffin

ironclaw wrote: »

Coming Soon in IRL doesn't mean SIM Free. I'd be surprised if it was offered SIM free given the close price between SIM Free and PAYG at the moment (Circa €600)

I've tried in 2 Vodafone Stores as a PAYG customer to get a MicroSIM. No joy.

"We only give MicroSIM's to new contracts as DATA only. €25 per month unlimited data etc"

iP4 will be sim free in Ireland via Apple.

whiterebel

mad muffin wrote: »

iP4 will be sim free in Ireland via Apple.

Of course it will. Why would they tell a phone is coming soon on their store that they would have to redirect you to an operator?

MuhammadUmar

Anyone in need of a vodafone microsim?

I received one in the post. I dont need it since I got one from the local Vodafone shop.

culabula

Anyone aware what the situation is with Meteor, microSIMically speaking?

The Big Gig

MuhammadUmar wrote: »

Anyone in need of a vodafone microsim?

I received one in the post. I dont need it since I got one from the local Vodafone shop.

yes please...

Creamy Goodness

culabula wrote: »

Anyone aware what the situation is with Meteor, microSIMically speaking?

July I heard and only then data sims.

Rang up customer care last week and asked, was put on hold and they came back with "do you mean a micro sd card". I just hung up in shock.

ironclaw

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

July I heard and only then data sims.

I heard similar. I've also heard Meteor will never officially support the iPhone. They are leaning more towards HTC and Android.

I'm not too sure about a SIM free iPhone in Ireland. Apple Ireland has always been a step behind the rest of the world and the networks will complain. If it is available, I suppose it would make the price on PrePay and Contract a shade more competitive.

mad muffin

ironclaw wrote: »

I heard similar. I've also heard Meteor will never officially support the iPhone. They are leaning more towards HTC and Android.

I'm not too sure about a SIM free iPhone in Ireland. Apple Ireland has always been a step behind the rest of the world and the networks will complain. If it is available, I suppose it would make the price on PrePay and Contract a shade more competitive.

They are already selling the 8GB 3GS sim free in the Irish Apple Store.

culabula

ironclaw wrote: »

I heard similar. I've also heard Meteor will never officially support the iPhone. They are leaning more towards HTC and Android.

I'm not too sure about a SIM free iPhone in Ireland. Apple Ireland has always been a step behind the rest of the world and the networks will complain. If it is available, I suppose it would make the price on PrePay and Contract a shade more competitive.

I doubt that. Money is money and business is business. Why support iPad with forthcoming microSIMs and not iPhone? If I could change my meteor PAYG to microSIM tomorrow, it would go straight into my iPhone for to avail of the free monthly data allowance and Meteor will get my 20€ a month and not Vodafone.

Evergreen

phutyle wrote: »

Just as well you're open to correction, because you're wrong on both counts

US, UK and France Apple Stores all sell the iPhone 4 Sim Free (there may be more, I haven't checked)

The iPhone 4 is not available SIM free in the USA, you can only buy it from an Apple Store (including website) if you take out an AT&T plan.

It is planned to sell the iPhone 4 SIM free at the Apple shop in Dublin and online at the appleshop http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTgxNTg0NDc

Pulse8

Evergreen wrote: »

It is planned to sell the iPhone 4 SIM free at the Apple shop in Dublin

Wheres this then?

mad muffin

Evergreen wrote: »

The iPhone 4 is not available SIM free in the USA, you can only buy it from an Apple Store (including website) if you take out an AT&T plan.

It is planned to sell the iPhone 4 SIM free at the Apple shop in Dublin and online at the appleshop http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTgxNTg0NDc

What Apple store in Dublin?

Evergreen

mad muffin wrote: »

What Apple store in Dublin?

Crap!! I've always presumed that there was a bricks and morter Apple Store in Dublin like there is in most other large Cities around the World

IamMetaldave

Evergreen wrote: »

Crap!! I've always presumed that there was a bricks and morter Apple Store in Dublin like there is in most other large Cities around the World

I heard they were looking at 2 premises a couple of years ago, one on Suffolk St and one on Stephens Green. They never happened though.

mad muffin

Evergreen wrote: »

Crap!! I've always presumed that there was a bricks and morter Apple Store in Dublin like there is in most other large Cities around the World

I know it's nuts. N.Ireland has one but not the republic.

Four of a kind

mad muffin wrote: »

I know it's nuts. N.Ireland has one but not the republic.

But N.Ireland is bigger than Rep