Why would a valid data-enabled SIM not work in a data card?

[Terencek]

Strange problem: I have a (32k) SIM which I have used successfully for data for years either directly in my phone or in phone-as-modem mode. But when I put it directly in my (Novatel U740 PCMCIA) data card -- nothing! The card and connection are configured for Vodacom and work perfectly with other Vodacom SIMs -- but not with this one, which only shows the red 'can't connect' LED.

Any ideas?

 

[Terencek]

No response from all the combined brainpower residing in this forum? Ah well, nothing for it then but the sad trek to my nearest Vodacom service centre to figure out why one SIMcard works in my datacard and the other doesn't....

 

[Ockie]

Hello Terence. What happens if you put a different sim in the same modem? If it still gives the same problem with a different sim, then the modem is most likely faulty. If not, then its most likely the sim that is either bombed out or is about to.

 

[Terencek]

No I have several VC SIMs and they all work in this (datacard) modem, so the datacard itself is fine, as is the configuration. Only difference is that the problem SIM is a 32k and is several years old -- but again, it DOES work perfectly for data in my Nokia smartphone, just not in the datacard!

I'm baffled -- but reluctant to do the schlepp to a voda service centre. I need to get it working in my datacard because I put a large data bundle on it which is going to be wasted if I can't use it in my card.

 

[morkhans]

Swap the SIM. Other people have reported similar issues with old SIMs.

 

[VodacomData]

No I have several VC SIMs and they all work in this (datacard) modem, so the datacard itself is fine, as is the configuration. Only difference is that the problem SIM is a 32k and is several years old -- but again, it DOES work perfectly for data in my Nokia smartphone, just not in the datacard!

I'm baffled -- but reluctant to do the schlepp to a voda service centre. I need to get it working in my datacard because I put a large data bundle on it which is going to be wasted if I can't use it in my card.

I remember a problem similar to this very long time ago. i would also suggest a sim swap. Do the swap , send me your number and i will help you with your bundle.

 

[Terencek]

Thanks for the offer. In fact a SIM swap (to a 64k) fixed the problem, all hunkey-dorey now! Might be useful to know for anyone else who experiences a similar problem. My local Vodashop said they had experienced several customer data problems using 32k cards, so perhaps that's the secret.

 

[VodacomData]

Glad its working