Page 1 of Switching networks - T Mobile & Virgin

I think I`ve seen the answer to this posted before, but can`t find any info.

At the moment the Mrs and I are on T Mobile pay as you go. It works out a lot more expensive since they changed to their 30p, 20p, 10p tariff, instead of 30p for first two minutes, then 5p a min for the rest of the day. So we`ve been thinking of switching networks for quite a while.

I`ve checked loads of tariffs out (we don`t really use them enough to warrant a contract, but some days we will use them a bit, then maybe not at all other days), so the Virgin tariff seems most appropriate for us, as it`s quite flexible. It`s actually very similar to the old T Mobile tariff.

So, now to the question.

Can we just put a Virgin sim card in no problem with Virgin being a virtual network running on T Mobile, even if the phones are locked to the network (not sure if they are or not), or do we have to get them unlocked (if they are)?

I phoned Virgin earlier as their IMEI tester on the site said it wasnt sure for my phone. The girl I spoke to said to try a different sim to see if it works (O2, Vodaphone), as my Siemens MC60 isnt listed on their list as they don`t sell that model on Virgin.

Yet, I`ve just looked on Carphone warehouses` site, and it lists the MC60 as available on T Mobile and Virgin. The Mrs phone is a Sagem MYx3.

So, will I just be able to stick a Virgin Sim in and it`ll work, anyone know...I`m sure it`s been asked before somewhere?

Cheers :)

I am in a similar situation. My first phone was with Virgin but I gave it my Mrs and I am now with T-Mobile but its costs more. :( I also like that you can set up a direct debit with virgin so no need for vouchers or cards.

Both the phones we have are sim free so no problems. I did try the virgin card in an old T-mobile phone but it did not work. Just try it with yours and see, it wont do any damage.

If no good just get your phone Un-locked ( about £5 at most markets) or get a new sim free phone ( Choices Video do some)

Do you know if Virgin charge for keeping my same number from T-mobile?

From past expericence tmobile phones will work with virgin sim cards not vice versa and if it is on a contract i think they come unlocked but you got nothing to loose just buy a sim card if it works it works if it doesn`t then pay about £5 -£10 to get it unlocked

Ravi

Cheers for the replies. After getting conflicting inof from Virgin themselves, and Carphone warehouse, we decided to sell the other phones and get new Virgin phones to save any hassle.

Virgin said it might work, try a sim from another network in to see if it accepts it. Tried that this morning, and it came up as phone locked. Went to Carphonewarehouse and they reckoned it will work in a T Mobile phone. But mrs was badgering for a new phone, and I`m not fussed on my MC60, never worked right since I got it. So we decided to see our phones and get Virgin phones, as I didn`t want to chance buying sim packs and finding they didn`t work, or add to the cost by getting the phones unlocked.

Just set up the online accounts part of it, seems good you can even see what calls you made, more the sort of thing you expect with a contract. We both got Alcatel 735 phones (always like Alcatel, having had them in the past). Very impressed with all the features on the phone, the camera and games are much better than on the Siemens MC60 I have.

These new phones have IR ports too, so we can swap stuff between em easy, and once I get a data cable it`ll do both phones.

Cheers for the help. :)

Quote:
Do you know if Virgin charge for keeping my same number from T-mobile?

According to the stuff that come with these new phones, you have to ask T Mobile for a PAC number, and give it to Virgin and they should arrange the swap over. They may charge you for it, depends on the network provider it says, but should be no more than an admin fee.

They say the PAC number is only valid for 30 days, so once you have it you need to give it to Virgin ASAP. :)

Ravimann had it right and I got a virgin sim in dixsons for £5 not long a go and it had a fiver on to