trimming sim

catoutthebag

So my phone broke. Took to a local repair shop and was considering getting a cheap 2nd phone instead of replacing lcd (new phone on way).

I've got a micro sim note 3 and was going to get a cheap Samsung back up. We tried putting my sim in the other but it wouldn't fit. So the phone shop guy slightly trimmed the edges of my sim to get it to fit into the the little cart of the other sim. It worked but I ended up getting my old phone repaired.

I'm on three network with unlimited 4G data and coverage is good everywhere.

I've been out and about where id normally get full coverage but it and the phone signal I think have been ropey all day.

It just so happens that it's OK now and I've got my usual 2bars of 4G.

But simple question - wwould trimming the outside of a sim affect data coverage or is it irrelevant?

Thanks

poppellerant

It shouldn't affect coverage, but it's possible if the SIM has been damaged in some way while it was being trimmed.

Give the gold contacts a clean with pure alcohol or nail varnish remover. Make sure that the SIM is dry and free of lint before trying to use it again. This may help you, but it's the last thing to do before getting a new SIM card.

I know some mobile provider shops will give you another SIM if you walk in and ask. They will probably need to register the SIM to your details before you use it. Activation shouldn't take too long, from my own experience it can become activated within 20 minutes - but they will likely say 24-48 hours.

catoutthebag

He had a device to shave the edges and it didn't work so he clipped the edges. Dropped into onto carpet once. Very professional.

All seems OK. Fit back into my phone again fine. I haven't tried making calls and not sure anyone has called me.

I'm on WiFi and 4G and all seems OK.

Must have been a coincidence?

What other signs should I look for?

kwikbreaks

If the SIM was damaged it wouldn't work at all. Three do not differentiate between 3G only and 3G + 4G anyway. If the sim was trimmed it won't fit properly and you could get issues with that. You should probably ask Three for a replacement SIM.

catoutthebag

Had all sort of signal and network problem today.

Cpykdnf get net or phone coverage on and off (mainly off) from this morning.

Took to another local phone shop where I was working. He checked antenna and sim and both looked fine. He put sim into another phone which seemed to get 3 signal for the 5 seconds it was in.

I was at a place I'd normally get full signal.

I called 3 who said they could send a sim but would take 3-5 days but told them I wanted one tomorrow. They said I could maybe get one from 3 shop , but they may charge. They credited my account for £5 in case.

Since coming home I'm getting some 4G but the triangle bar (is that phone signal? ) is one or on none. The N has 3 full bars.

My calls work and I can get 4G on and off.

I'm picking my nexus 6p up tomorrow.

So still no idea about this phone and the dip in and out of signal.

Either

- sim damaged. But you guys and phone guy think not.

- antenna or something else damaged from yesterday phone shop replacing lcd.

- some other component damaged yesterday from the heavy impact which caused the lcd to shatter.

Clearly something is wrong.

Whilst typing this the signal on 4g has gone and I've got a circle with line through it.

What was strange was that he put an ee and O2 sim into my phone which is unlocked.

And since doing so, when I've turned on I get a warning pop up saying selected 3 network unavailable. Never had that before. Anyway I was able to dial out after.
.I've just connected to WiFi to post this message half way through.

catoutthebag

kwikbreaks wrote: »

If the SIM was damaged it wouldn't work at all. Three do not differentiate between 3G only and 3G + 4G anyway. If the sim was trimmed it won't fit properly and you could get issues with that. You should probably ask Three for a replacement SIM.

It looks like it was only slightly trimmed to fit the sim tray of a Samsung ace. ..but I guess that me getting messages and been able to call out and still now getting network signal on and off beens that it's OK? Not sure of it would affect the position of the contacts etc to cause all this.

I just hope it works tomorrow otherwise I'm off to 3

catoutthebag

Right so the ace takes a normal sim I've just found out but mine is a micro sim. Would this explain it as the normal sim is larger than the micro anyway?