three sims in other phones?

sametch

My wife has broke her three phone. The cheapest way to get a new phone would be to get a pay as you go from another network. Would a three sim card work on such a phone?

Sid_Harper

Yes - but it needs to be unlocked for all networks. Also ideally a 3G phone as 3 is a 3G network, and they rent a 2G network for when people are out of reception. If you use a non-3G phone, some people have said they get shirty about it because it's costing them money.

3G is also known as UMTS, whereas 2G is also called GSM.

zenmaster

I heard they cut you off if you used a 2G phone, but I've no personal experience of this. Maybe someone else can confirm/deny.

3 have their Skype phone on PAYG for £49.99. This comes with £10 credit (obviously on a different number) and you can get £11 through Quidco so it's effectively £30.

sametch

zenmaster wrote: »

3 have their Skype phone on PAYG for £49.99. This comes with £10 credit (obviously on a different number) and you can get £11 through Quidco so it's effectively £30.

What is the skype phone. I assumed that was something that plugged into a PC.

sametch

What I am interested in doing is getting a 3G phone like the Motorola Raz3 on another PAYG network then unlocking it.

What I am not sure about though is all the three phones I have used have a "browser like" menu system which I imaging is part of the firmware of the phone supplied by three. so I am guessing it wont be there on a phone from another network.

My wifes only inyterests is to make and recieve voice calls and take pictures. All the other three bits go unused.

Has anyone used a 3 Sim in an unlocked 3G phone from another network.

Quentin

zenmaster wrote: »

I heard they cut you off if you used a 2G phone, but I've no personal experience of this. Maybe someone else can confirm/deny.

Yes that's right. Although a 3 sim works in a 2g handset the call is carried via their 2g partner network and they get billed for it. They are informed the id of the handset used, and if you don't stop after their warning they block the SIM and give you one that will only work via 3g.

Sid_Harper

sametch wrote: »

My wifes only inyterests is to make and recieve voice calls and take pictures. All the other three bits go unused.

:rotfl: Blimey. I really do feel sorry for you mate. Time for an upgrade!

Sorry - couldn't resist the joke. But seriously, the 3 Skype phone is a 3 phone that allows free calls to other Skype users using the 3 network, and nothing will stop you making/receiving regular calls if you are missing the 3 customisations.