"SIM not found or invalid" error

[Lee203]

After using ADSL for a while and moving to the north of Jo'burg where no ADSL portals are available, I have now reverted to using 3G again.

I was using both MTN and Vodacom SIM cards before. Both of my MTN SIM cards had been cancelled when I wanted to use them again and so I bought and RICA'd two new MTN SIM cards. My two Vodacom SIM cards are still working (well sort-of). I am currently experiencing breakneck download speeds of around 5kbps on Vodacom and frequent stalling during download.

I am experiencing some pretty serious congestion problems and weak signal strength using Vodacom and therefore wish to try MTN. (I flashed one of the modems with Mobile Partner a long time ago and recently updated the firmware.)

The problem I am now experiencing is that neither of the two MTN SIM cards will work in any of the 3G modems. I have called the MTN call centre who confirm that the SIM cards are internet enabled and they have tried to assist by resetting the SIM cards but this has not helped. Each time I attempt to use the MTN SIM card I receive the error "SIM card not present or invalid" (Mobile Partner). A similar error occurs when attempting to use MDMA.

The 3G modems I have are the older type (I think). They are the Huawei E169, E17X, K3520 and a ZTE modem (cannot remember model).

I have tried everything I know to get the two new MTN SIM cards to work in at least one of these modems but to no avail.

Do you perhaps have any idea what I could do to resolve the issue?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks and take care
Lee

 

[sajunky]

You made loot of testing with modems. Did you check SIM in normal phone?

 

[Lee203]

Hi sajunky

Thanks for your response. I have tested both SIM cards on cell phones. I am able to send and receive SMSs as well as making and receiving calls. I don't have a 3G enabled phone but was able to use and activate BIS on one of the MTN SIM cards and use browser on edge service.

Take care
Lee

 

[Exaelea]

older 3g modems... the Mtn simcards, do they have 3g printed in white on them? could be that the old modems dont like the new simcards, not sure if you can still downgrade to a 64k sim.

Had that issue at a client, downgraded to 64k and the 3g adapter picked it up no probs.

 

[ginggs]

See Using a MTN SIM in a Vodacom E220.

We also met the problem that Vodacom E220 can not work with MTN 64K SIM before. We have checked the problem and find out the reason.

According to the 3GPP protocol 31.102, USIM card should have the EFECC File.

But the lack of this file in MTN USIM card causes the conflict issue with
the normal E220 modem. So all of the E220 modems sold to MTN are special
Firmware and will not check the EFECC file. The Vodacom version is the
normal version and can be used with all the normal USIM cards.

So, if the MTN subscriber uses Vodacom E220 with MTN 64k USIM card, he will find the modem can not be used (MTN 32k card works fine). The modem must check the EFECC file first, but MTN 64k USIM card has not the file. It seems like the Sim Lock. But the reason is that MTN 64k USIM cards have not EFECC file.

 

[Lee203]

Hi Zenthrax

Thank you very much for your response. There is no "3G" printed in white on the card. I guess what you're saying links up with what ginggs is saying. That's bad news.

Take care
Lee

 

[Lee203]

Hi ginggs

Thank you very much for your assistance. I suspected the problem was going to be something like this. I have MTN 32K SIM cards. My hope is then to get MTN to reactivate them.

Thanks again.

All the best
Lee

 

[EP1]

Similar problem, bought a PayAsYouGo 64K MTN SIM had it RICA'd loaded airtime and inserted it into a Huawei Ideos S7 Slim 3G tablet. Showed the "No Service" error. The tablet works fine with my contract sim (not designated for tablet). An old 32K sim works in the tablet so what gives. Does MTN have to flick a proverbial switch on their system or something?