can you use a 3G sim in a 2G phone?

[Adam M]

My wife really likes an O2 3g tariff just hates the bulky 3G phones.

Can I buy the card and use it in her old phone if it is suitably unlocked?

(note not 3 mobile)

[Tunney]

Yes, 3G U-SIMs are backwardly compatible.

[Daddy k]

incorrect.
2g sims will work in 3g not vice versa im afraid

[lukey]

I thought they work backwards, but you dont get the 3g functionality thats all?

[Tigerblade]

Originally Posted by krismc

incorrect.
2g sims will work in 3g not vice versa im afraid

That's not the question....altho they should do, you'd just lose all 3g functions wouldn't you?

To OP I would assume it would work if it was unlocked......I've had a 3 sim working in an unlocked 3g voda handset so I don't see why this would be any different

EDIT - Her old phone would need to be a 3g handset to benefit from the 3g tariff....

[Daddy k]

to clarify:

a 2g sim will work in a 3g handset ie 3g handsets are backwards compatible.
however a 2g handset will not work with a 3g sim card!
full stop!
no calls texts anything!
are u thinking ull get calls and texts but no video calls? this is not the case. it simply wont work full stop.

yours sincerley manager of large telesales company selling all networks, and always looking at ways to make customers switch,so iv looked into sending out 3g sims (cheap prices etc) with 2g phones (generally more demand) cant be done im afraid

[suniil]

buy a w900i

[Tunney]

Originally Posted by krismc

to clarify:

a 2g sim will work in a 3g handset ie 3g handsets are backwards compatible.
however a 2g handset will not work with a 3g sim card!
full stop!
no calls texts anything!
are u thinking ull get calls and texts but no video calls? this is not the case. it simply wont work full stop.

I've got two Orange 3G USIMs sitting infront of me. They both work in my Sony Ericsson P910i for making calls, sending texts and establishing a GPRS connection.

The SIMs are definitely 3G USIMs because I can make video calls with them using a Nokia 6680 and a Nokia N90.

[Adam M]

only options are k600i, N70 and a samsung clamshell phone.

She doesnt like any of them. Apparently 6280 is out next month and will be available under the same tariff so could wait for that.

BTW. I have since read on quite a few forums, incidences of 3g sims working in 2g handsets, includings lists of the handsets that work. Perhaps it isnt such a clear cut answer.

[Daddy k]

perhaps there are a "select few"
few not being enough for me to sell 3 sims with d600's lol, the cash would roll in

[Tunney]

few not being enough for me to sell 3 sims with d600's lol, the cash would roll in

If the USIMs are from the network operator 3 then that's a different matter.

It's against 3's terms and conditions to use your 3 SIM in a non-3 branded phone. Since they do not sell any 2G phones, they will black-list a SIM that they detect is being used in 2G phone and I'm sure that they do whatever they can technically to stop their SIM cards being used in 2G phones.

However, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and O2 3G USIMs should all be backwardly compatible.

[shahedz]

i didnt know you needed a specific sim card, my current sim card is on t-mobile and i have had it for about 4 years, and i got the N70 and use the same sim card on it for 3G services (video call) on t-mobile.