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Activating old SIM card

Punya
Good Citizen / Bon Citoyen

Hey everyone,

 

Can I gift an old SIM card (never activated before) of public mobile to my friend. I am not sure whether the old SIM card is still good for activation online.

 

If "Y" to above. Is there a time frame for the old SIM card to be activated?

 

Any input would be highly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

 

3 REPLIES 3

@Punya 

 

SIM cards from PM (or from any other carrier) never expire. They have unlimited "shelf-life" before use. And, aside from fancy new technical features (like extended storage capacity, active TPM cryptocircuitry, NFC ID tags, etc) - none of which is used by PM - SIM card standards have remained almost entirely unchanged and fully backcompatible since their inception. The only possible issue with old SIM cards is incompatible physical form factor, but PM's "triple-punch" SIM cards are compatible with all three physical form factor standards.

 

So yes, you (or your friend) can use this ancient PM SIM card.

 

Once a SIM card is ever activated it becomes irrevocably married to a user account. It is permanently deactivated when the linked user account is terminated. It can never be reused or reactivated again. Technically the SIM card itself still works and all data stored on it remain intact, but any networks it attempts to connect to will deny access because the unique SIM ID has already been added to the graveyard list.

 

If an account is deactivated or suspended (no service until payment, etc) then the associated SIM ID still remains valid. It can be reactivated (and service will resume) at any time. As long as it hasn't yet been terminated.

 

Of course your friend's phone must also be unlocked and compatible with PM.

The easiest way to test this is to put an active PM SIM card (from your own phone) into it, restart, try dialing/answering calls and try sending/receiving texts (with your PM phone number). Data won't work until you configure the APN settings, but no real need to test data since it will work if calling already works.

Depending how old it is it may not be a Triple Punch SIM card allowing for the three different Potential sizes that can be needed depending on the phone. But it should be valid in any event, the user would just need to confirm that the size is usable in their device.

 

AE_Collector

gblackma
Mayor / Maire

@Punya if it was never activated then it should be good to go. Stay safe 

 

Here's 4 articles on activation and porting and the Refer a friend reward  if you need them:
1. What you require to activate https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/what-you-need-to-activate
2.How to activate https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/activation-account-set-up
3.How to port https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/choose-your-phone-number
4. Refer a friend https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/get-help/articles/the-refer-a-friend-reward

 

 

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