Mobile Numbers

[JonnieB]

I have a very old SIM card / phone number that I have had for years. However, I have bought a new phone and to access various newfangled network services, I need to get a new card too. However, all my friends and contacts have my old number and business cards have my current number.

Is it possible to get a new SIM/number and somehow have the company reprogram the SIM with my old number?

[Farma]

I’m fairly sure they can be.

Last year my wife misplaced her ais mobile. To be on the safe side she had the missing sim canceled and a new sim issued using the same number.

[dsys]

I have a very old SIM card / phone number that I have had for years. However, I have bought a new phone and to access various newfangled network services, I need to get a new card too. However, all my friends and contacts have my old number and business cards have my current number.

Is it possible to get a new SIM/number and somehow have the company reprogram the SIM with my old number?

Strange that you have to get a new card as well. The short aswer is technically yes, depending on how helpfull your provider is. Usually they are quite good at this for contract phones and a pain for unregistered paygo phones.

The long anser is

Your phone number is not actually dependent on your SIM card, persay.

There are four things at play here -

1. Your phone - it contains a unique number called the IMEI, this can identify you irresepective of which SIM you have in the phone - this is how the operator blocks phones.

2. Your SIM card which identifies your account using -

3. your IMSI - which is individual to the sim card (usually).

4. Your phone number is programmed on your operators equipment as a relationship to your IMSI so if you change SIM cards the operator just changes the IMEI relating to your phone number. Don't need to reprogram your SIM card.

[note to all you shady people out there - if you want to make a "secure" call dont just change the SIM card and use the same phone!]

You could if you wanted get a blank sim and flash your IMEI number onto it but that would be a hastle.

It sounds to me like your operator is trying to push a new contract, pay model onto you - some block ranges of IMEI's from using certain services as a way to get people to change contracts/phones.

IMEI - International Mobile Equipment identifier

IMSI - International MobileSubscriber Identifier

SIM - Subscriber Identity module.

(i think)

Edited February 22, 2008 by dsys

[toptuan]

Yes, I know DTAC allows it. In five years I've lost or damaged five phones, losing the SIM card each time. I've retained the same number since phone #1. I think DTAC charges of fee of about 200B to keep the old number.

[JonnieB]

Wow...TV is such a font of very informed people on just about any subject! Thanks for the helpful advice.

My phone and SIM card/number are about 6 years old. I finally bought a new phone a couple days ago (these little guys have sure changed in 6 years) and in order to get the most use out of the network and phone functions it behooves me to get an up to date SIM card too.

I am a 1-2-Call pre-paid customer so hope it can be done with AIS. If not, if DTAC can do it I will switch over to them.

I am sorta attached to my number as it has been my only one in Thailand (I know, stupid really) and besides, I already have it memorized.

[petedk]

AIS can do it.

You don't have to buy a new SIM with new number. Just go to AIS center and tell them you need a new SIM with the same number.

I have done it twice now. I use post paid not 12 call but surely there is no difference.

[naka]

AIS can do it.

You don't have to buy a new SIM with new number. Just go to AIS center and tell them you need a new SIM with the same number.

I have done it twice now. I use post paid not 12 call but surely there is no difference.

Good answer.

Naka.

[lomatopo]

As long as you stick with the same provider you will be able to transfer an exisiting number to a new SIM. Unfortunately no number portability here so you cannot switch providers and keep the same number.