Text and Calls only SIM (No data)

amtrakuk1975

Just want I wanted for my mum, shes not into apps or smart phones so got her a Asda Mobile Text and voice only for £4 a month.  So she can call if needed whilst shes out and about.    Problem is Asda Mobile seems to need a smart phone to work.  I tried 3 phones, iphone woked fine.. the feature phones - which works fine with a voda SIM.   Doesn't work with incoming calls.  Outgoing voice works fine, in/outgoing text works fine, just doesn't ring with incoming calls.   Asda CS say its the handset, as it worked ok in an iphone they said it will only work in smart phones.

Peter999_2

It's probably down to parts of the network being turned off, usually 3G or 2G and therefore it needs a newer phone to work - maybe her current one doesn't support 4g/5g.      (funnily Three mobile was named after 3G but has now turned off all their 3G so you can't use it anymore - should rename the company really, haha)

If I were you I would buy the below phone from amazon

Nokia 105 4G Edition (2023) Feature Phone with Dual SIM, 1.8 Inch Display, 1450 mAh Battery, 48 MB RAM / 128 MB ROM, Expandable Memory, 3.5 mm Headphone Jack, FM Radio - Charcoal: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

It should work as it is 4g which will be around for several years.      You could buy it and then if it doesn't work just return it.

Apparently the battery life is really good on it - standby of 22 days which is so much better than any smart phone.

badmemory

I have had the same mobile for years   Then I got a couple of texts from tesco my provider saying 3G was to be switched off.  I too only use phone & text but I do not pay monthly as £10 lasts me over a year.  I have a new one that is 4G now.  It is certainly not a smart phone.

Actually if it doesn't ring then I would say there was either something wrong with the phone or wrong with a setting within it.

JSmithy45AD

100% guaranteed that they're using a 3G phone, any 4G (smart or otherwise) will be fine. The fact that Asda CS don't know this is of no surprise.

amtrakuk1975

Thanks for the messages, the phone is a Nokia 3210 - as far as I'm aware that is not data compatable.  But worked fine before the port 2 days ago.  Mum is of the age where she doesn't take well to change - hense why shes had the 3210 for many years - just renewing the battery where needed.   Maybe I'll get a new SIM and just say she can't port her number.

jbrassy

Nokia 3210! That is ancient history in the world of mobile phones. I'm not sure networks will support that phone anymore. The movement is towards switching off the older signals that these old phones relied upon. I think you'll find there is no option but to buy a new phone which supports 4G (albeit a non-smartphone).

flaneurs_lobster

There's a revival model of the 3210, albeit at a frankly daft price for a "feature" phone.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5797820

Cute thing, especially in some of the funkier colours. Don't think I want to re-learn how to enter text using a numeric keyboard 'tho.