MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Solved! If you have a miniSIM where the gold contact area is too big to cut down to microSIM size without cutting into the contact (and the semiconductor inside)... chances are you have an older SIM like I did. Ask your network for a new SIM and chances are the new replacement will have the smaller contact area, which is cuttable.


Got my N9. This is good.

Do not have a micro SIM. This is bad.

My network doesn't provide micro SIMs and doesn't seem to have a plan to do so. This is very bad and also annoying.

I know that there are cutting templates etc. out there, and I've just given it a try. Issue is that the gold contact area on my regular mini SIM card is gigantic compared to that on my buddy's micro SIM which I borrowed for comparison. This means that to match up the contact lines, I ended up having to shave into the contact area a tiny bit.

Somewhat predictably, the results weren't too great: the N9 didn't detect a network when I inserted the my SIM card after surgery (for comparison, my friend's micro SIM works fine in my N9).

So: given that I'm not at all sure that my network will help me, does anyone know whether or not it would be possible for me to buy a microSIM from another network, take it to my network and have them re-program it to cause my N9 to register on my network?

Actual knowledge/info is greatly preferred over speculation at this point, because I'm currently without a cellphone (at least until I get a replacement mini SIM later today) and there's no way I'll rest until my N9 is capable of making and receiving calls/SMS. Please don't suggest moving to another network - if it comes to it, I can make that decision without help. Of course it's lame that my current network can't help me, but I'm otherwise very happy with them.

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Congratulations on the phone. Sucks about the SIM card. Hope you find a solution.

I don't know the answer so I wont speculate :)

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

I know you don't want speculation, but I'm 99.9% sure that SIM cards cannot be reprogrammed by a different operator.

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Your best chance should be to wait until you get your new miniSIM, which should have a smaller contact area nonetheless and cut it again...

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Congratulations on N9!

Now about the problem... My operator does not provide MicroSIM either, but they are kind enough to cut them into store, so get a new one and ask them to cut it for you. If they screw up, it's not your fault anymore.

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

The miniSIM I just destroyed by accident was 2 years old - do you suspect that a new one will have a smaller contact area?

Hah - your network is better than mine. I just called the flagship store and they didn't even know what I was talking about until I said "You know, like the tiny SIM in an iPhone 4S". At this rate, they won't be cutting anything except the amount of money I give them each month... :rolleyes:

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Toronto? What stupid operator like that is there?

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

No, it's a city! ;)

Haha, me so funny. Seriously though: it's WIND. I like them, I do. They're the little operator that could. They took on the big three networks and Industry Canada (who are quite cosy with Rogers, Bell and Telus?) and I've been very happy with the technical service and value-for-money.

However, I love my brand new N9 a lot more than I love them. "Well, it's your choice to use the that kind of phone" said one customer services manager on the phone this morning. Yeah, and it's my choice to pay or not pay also.

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

My carrier T-Mobile Germany has smaller contact areas now also on miniSIMs... but this could also be due to the fact that they also offer microSIMs... so maybe they just have one size of contact area for all their card types...

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Yeah, makes sense. Rogers here have smaller area on their miniSIM, and they also offer microSIM.

This doesn't seem very hopeful for me :(

I'll see what I can sort out on my lunch break, and will report back.

Edit: possible solution! The original miniSIM I was given when I signed up two years ago had much larger contacts area - hence failure when I tried to cut it down. I now have a new miniSIM with smaller contacts area, and I'm about to try cutting that down.

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

They have a how-to for self-cutting a microSIM here (albeit in German):

http://www.micro-sim.de/selbst-basteln/

They had a miniSIM with a large chip and the cut-down size was just the size of the chip but they say it works for them:

http://www.micro-sim.de/basteln/basteln7.png

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

This may work in iPhone but not in N9. It needs a micro sim with smaller contact area.

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...ostcount=10094

[Solved] miniSIM contact area too big to cut down to microSIM size - help!
 

New smaller-contacts miniSIM + diagram found here + scissors + patience + some swearing == success!

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

So yeah, I registered to reply to this.

I am also with Wind and I have an N900 and it's an awesome combination! (Reception problems? What reception problems?)

So since I ordered an N9 this morning (w00t) I decided to look around. Yeah, it's lame that you have to cut the Sim, HOWEVER! Yes, their new SIM cards have smaller contact areas. I also had a larger one I got over a year ago, and was a little stressed out. But I walked up to my local Wind booth, gave them a sob story, and the guy in about 2 minutes had me up and going with a new SIM. With a smaller contact area.

I have that fancy stapler that cuts out Micro-Sims from regular ones so I'm all set to go when my N9 arrives. Also, I can confirm the smaller contact area sims will work on the N900 in case that was in doubt.

By the way, the guy was awesome, even though I was totally willing to pay the 25 bucks for a new SIM, he said not to worry. Yes, this continues to officially be the best Provider in Toronto.

(no, I wasn't paid to sponsor them, I just really really like them)

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

Agree - reception is great everywhere I go (but then I do live and work downtown).

Hah! Hope you enjoy your N9. I've also just switched over from the N900 - it's been a great couple of years, and I'm now planning to turn the N900 into an amazing toy (e.g. timelapse camera with wifi access!)

I can confirm that N9 + Wind == sweet combo. I ended up escalating my initial poor customer service experience, and - higher up the chain - WIND were extremely responsive, even offering to help me cut my SIM for free.

By then I'd already obtained a new miniSIM and cut it myself, but yes: WIND continue to provide me with good value for money and good cell service. During my contact with them today, the company as a whole was helpful and responsive (can't fault them for having one or two sub-par call-center staff).

Re: MicroSIM - possible to get my network to reprogram micro SIM bought from another network?
 

i don't know how toronto area dealing with SIM but here in asian (malaysia) is so easy to change your SIM....
i go to my services provider store & tell them i just lost (lies) my SIM...i show them prove (my ID) then within 5 minutes i get a new SIM (choose between normal or mirco SIM) & they block the old one at the same times....
pretty simple but just have to remember to backup your contacts first :D