The Unofficial Speak Out Wireless Canada Consumer Page - Topic: Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

iamdrumming on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:46:27 -0700

jjax,

Welcome to the SpeakOut family. SpeakOut is the best value for wireless in Canada. I'm glad everything worked out for you.

jjax on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:59:28 -0700

Good news: it all works 🙂
Thanks for the help guys. I bought and activated a 25$ slip, and it all works: text, ID, voicemail.

Im really glad to avoid contracts and other major companies, there are some real horror stories out there.

andreww on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:09:18 -0700

Everything should work. You are obviously getting service if you can check your account balance, so just put some money in the phone and try it out. If you have any issue, post back with the specifics.

jjax on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:34:51 -0700

Thanks for the info. I asked the previous owner, and no, it was not connected on a SO phone.

Would they give me support on general issues though? I mean, if there was an issue with the network, or a billing problem, would they still deal with me on issues that are irregardless of phone?

The phones they offer now have receive pretty bad reviews. Maybe when a great deal comes up...

iamdrumming on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:57:21 -0700

SpeakOut customer service will not give out any advice on any phone that is not a SpeakOut branded phone. They only support the models they sell. I would try to activate the sim in a SpeakOut branded phone first. Some phones are glitchy, it's just the way it is.

jjax on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:43:54 -0700

That's a good point sapien, I had figured that I could call the phone while it is off even with no balance, to check voice mail, but maybe the balance cuts off all calls.

*777 works! 🙂
Ill try calling them, to ask if they can tell me if voice mail and texting would work on this phone.

I'm using a samsung sgh x426
http://www.cellphones.ca/cell-.....sung-x426/

Old as dirt, but basic, and good enough for me.

Does knowing the phone give you any insight?

andreww on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:59:33 -0700

Try calling *777 to check you balance (free call). If that works, fill your phone and you should be good.

BTW, what type of phone are you using?

sapien on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:43:56 -0700

It makes me wonder if the problem isn't caused by the 7 cent balance. The minimum phone call charge is 25 cents per min (inbound or outbound) so maybe the SO network blocks calls until you get a balance above that. Just thinking out loud....

jjax on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:12:06 -0700

Thanks for the help andrew.
Would customer service help me on a Non-SpeakOut phone?

I tried calling my own number from a landline for voice mail, and it is always busy. Phone was off.
Once I got a message, saying there were network difficulties and to dial again with the area code, which I had been doing.
Then it said "2 5â€³, kind of randomly?

Anyone else have this today? I worry its something with my phone.

Edit - well I checked it with my phone on, same busy signal.

andreww on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:01:07 -0700

Welcome aboard.

1) From the Speakout website...

"Can I use any GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) phone with SpeakOut Wireless Service?

You may be able to use 850/1900 Mhz phones with SpeakOut Wireless Service, but 7-Eleven does not support Non-SpeakOut Wireless phones. Features such as voicemail, Text Messaging, and Wireless Web may not work with Non-SpeakOut Wireless phones."

2) To keep your balance from expiring, go to 711 and buy a voucher. I'd do this asap because they remove 99 cents a month for 911 service. You may find your card deactivated if you don't.

"911 Emergency Services
No Airtime Charges Apply. However a Cost Recovery Fee of $.99 will be deducted from your account monthly."

3) I don't remember entering a PIN when I got my phone.

jjax on Newb questions, buying a used SIM card

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:04:33 -0700

Hi, I've been reading about different prepaid programs, and 711 looks great. I just bought a SIM card from someone on this forum for an old Rogers phone.
I'm completely new to prepaid, and have some basic questions, I'd appreciate advice. In retrospect I should have asked this before I bought the SIM card, but hey...

1) Is SO okay with the transfer of SIM cards? Is this something I have to hide when talking with them, or can I call customer service and discuss this openly?
2) What do I actually have to do before the expiry date so the SIM card stays active and there is rollover? The card expires in June, with 7 cents balance. If I go tomorrow and buy and activate a 25$ voucher, will that 25$ last past expiry?
3) Do I have to change a PIN, or any other security measures?

Thanks a lot, I'm completely new to cel phones.