T Mobile Pulse Mini question, please

ruthber

I bought this phone almost 2 years ago but barely used it and not at all for over a year. My daughter who is 12 now has asked me for a phone so i thought i would give her this one. however the phone is now "not registered on network". I phoned the company and they said I had to purchase a new SIM card from their shop (the phone is locked to Tmobile). Is this normal because i had not used it? Is it worth resurrecting this phone or should I buy a new one for her?
She is not into gadgets and would only use it for calling or texting.
please could someone give me some advice as i am not very technical. thank you very much

grumbler

ruthber wrote: »

.. Is this normal because i had not used it?

Yes. For the majority of providers you have to make/send a chargeable call/text at least once every 6 months to keep the sim alive.

Is it worth resurrecting this phone or should I buy a new one for her?

Up to you.

She is not into gadgets and would only use it for calling or texting.
please could someone give me some advice as i am not very technical. thank you very much

AFAIK, it's a smart phone. If you don't use internet you have to either switch it off permanently in the phone or ask the network to disable it on their side.
If you use internet, you need an appropriate tariff because the phone is using internet (if not disabled) without asking you and this can be costly on a wrong tariff.

ruthber

Thank you Grumbler. Could I have this phone unlocked while it has the dead Sim in it or do I have to buy a new SIM first? The nearest T-mobile shop is some distance away so it would be easier to maybe put a Tesco PAYG Sim in. I could switch off the internet option myself as I don't think she would need it.

grumbler

http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/help-and-support/index?iqaction=5&answerid=16777222&highlightinfo=4195507,26,63&type=open&page=answeropen&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.t-mobile.co.uk%2Fhelp-and-support%2Findex%3Fpage%3Dcontent%26id%3DFA669%26actp%3Dsearch%26viewlocale%3Den_GB&searchid=1358374906940#__highlight

Reportedly it costs £15ish and AFAIK you don't need T-mobile sim for the unlocking, but you possibly have to be a customer to get the code.
It doesn't have to be T-mobile. You can try other places like, say, phone shops or e-bay.

ruthber

thank you, I'll look into this.