[PLUG-TALK] Mobile phone SIM card question

[Bryan Vyhmeister]

On Mon, May 13, 2019, at 10:32 AM, Rich Shepard wrote:
> On Mon, 13 May 2019, Bryan Vyhmeister wrote:
> 
> > Yes. You will need a new SIM card. The SIM does not specify calling plan
> > normally but SIM cards are specific to the carrier and cannot be reused
> > either. For example, if I change to another SIM card, I cannot use the old
> > one again. Once a SIM is deactivated, it is no longer usable.
> 
> Bryan,
> 
> I understand that SIM cards are specific to a carrier (e.g., AT&T). Are they
> also specific to the MVNO that provides access to AT&T? That's what I don't
> know.
> 
> If each MVNO sells it's own AT&T SIM cards, that's okay with me. Which leads
> to another question: our two phones (Nokia 6.1 Plus and iPhone6 (A1549 GSM)
> work on the AT&T network (except when the MVNO fails to send a statement for
> me to pay). If I buy SIM cards for another AT&T MVNO am I confident the
> phones will continue working with AT&T?
> 
> If I can swap SIM cards to change providers I'll buy a couple at Target for
> FreedomPop because they're on sale for $35 for 12 month's service.

SIM cards are also generally specific to MVNO even though they are for the same underlying carrier. It depends on whether the MVNO gives you a normal AT&T SIM card or their own branded one. In any case, you most likely have to get another SIM card regardless since you are technically switching carriers even if only switching to another MVNO. As long as your phones are unlocked or AT&T GSM phones, you should not have any issues. If you are already using an AT&T MVNO, then switching to another AT&T MVNO will be fine. It is possible to have an MVNO locked phone depending on how you bought it though.

Bryan
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