Is VM forcing ppl to upgrade phones? It seems like they're trying!!

RealGem

**NOTE: This is unlikely to affect people who have modern smartphones, but I'd still like some help on How to Complain to an Official Governing Body about Virgin Mobile thanks.**   
Hi,
I have a smartphone and an old non-smart phone with SIM Only service both from Virgin Mobile. And VM are insisting I change the SIM for the old phone to a new SIM they sent me, or they will stop my service.
But when I try to put the IMEI number into the site (to see if they will accept my old model) it says it is invalid. So I don't want to chance putting the new SIM in.
Please read the text in italics below, that I posted to the Virgin Mobile forum on the VM site. 
The post got rejected. So I posted on the Help page, and that was deleted as well.
I haven't been abusive. The only reason I can think of is that the question I asked in my post hit a nerve because I was right, and they are in fact forcing people to buy a newer phone in order to stay with Virgin Mobile. Here is a screenshot of the rejected post, and below that; the text of the original post that was rejected.

Post Title on VM: Mandatory SIM Change - Impossible for Old Phone Models:

I have tried to follow the instructions to change the SIM for my model of phone Samsung Tocco Lite GT-S5230

Not only does the site not have my phone model, but when I press *#06# on the keypad to find the IMEI number, I am told:

"The IMEI you have entered is not valid. Please check your IMEI and resubmit."

Are you are trying to force customers to upgrade their phone to newer models?

Because if so, this is unacceptable. I already have a smartphone (also with a Virgin Media SIM) but I also want a phone that is just a phone, not a small computer with the potential to be hacked. I should not be forced to upgrade. I should be able to use whichever model I want.

And the more modern phone I have (that does NOT need its SIM changed) was without service for a WHOLE WEEK last month!

So why should I believe that the new SIM card will be any better?

And why won't the site accept my IMEI number?

Why would they delete my post, if they are not forcing people to buy a newer phone?
(They allow posts from other disgruntled customers, so I'm thinking it can't be just because I am unhappy with their service).

Are they allowed to force people to upgrade? 

Surely we should be able to choose to have a non-smart phone if we want? 

And how do I make a formal complaint? (NOT to Virgin - to a governing body) 

Thank you 

sdduk

I am guessing here but Virgin mobile are moving network in the next year so maybe they are just getting ready to move and thats why they are changing sims.
https://www.choose.co.uk/news/2019/virgin-media-mvno-vodafone/

cranford

Why beat yourself up about this. VM are changing their technology just like other companies do. I remember when Microsoft bought out  Windows 8 and it rendered my scanner obsolete. At the time it cost me over £70 for a replacement. In your case if you want to stay with Virgin Mobile buy a more up to date basic phone for no more than £15 and job done. But I am sure you can find better value sims that may work in your  old phone and its very easy to port your number across. No point in complaining to an outside body as Virgin are doing nothing wrong.

Frozen_up_north

Virgin own the SIM and loan it to you. If they need to issue a replacement SIM for whatever reason, such as network upgrades, improved security, etc, then why not put it in your phone and try it?

If my web search is pulling up the correct info, that phone isn’t 3G, so with the rollout of 5G starting you might find networks either turning off 2G completely or not installing it on many sites. The phone appears to be 10 or 11 years old, chuck it and buy something more up to date.

eDicky

Why all the fooling around with IMEI? Why not just put the new SIM in your 2G handset and see if It works..?

I suspect it might not, such old models don't usually support recent SIM technology. But you could scrounge or buy for a fiver a more recent Nokia dumb phone in which it probably will work, if that's acceptable.

I'll be really surprised if you get anywhere at all with complaining that Virgin are 'forcing'you to upgrade...

nick74

A quick search of the VM forum suggests that the IMEI checker is a peculiarity of Virgin Media and can basically be ignored. Unless you bought the phone from them it is quite normal for it to return the 'invalid' message that you received, but doesn't mean that the phone won't actually work.

Just put the SIM in your old phone and try it. It will either work or it won't.