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?

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.

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, 200818 yr by dsys

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.