Fido 2G Sim vs 3G Sim

**Ziostilon** · 07-17-2010, 06:58 PM

can't really remember the exact serial # that was on the back of the sim, that distinguishes the two types of sim Fido offers.

First of all, does fido only sell 3G Sim these days

and is there a noticeable difference between the 3G sim vs the 2G sim. Specifically for those that use data... lots

**lmcjipo** · 07-17-2010, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ziostilon

and is there a noticeable difference between the 3G sim vs the 2G sim. Specifically for those that use data... lots

I am using a 2G SIM with my data stick in my 3G router and I don't notice any difference between my results and what my friend gets with his 3G SIM... and I've downloaded over 100GB certain months... no problems at all with my 2G SIM.

**EPcjay** · 07-18-2010, 12:33 AM

Yeah, even though I was told my simcard is a "2g" sim card, I don't notice a speed difference when I switched my sim card.

Also, the newer sim card are capable of both "2g/3g", and it's not strictly only 3g

**robsaw** · 07-18-2010, 09:28 PM

A "truly" 2G SIM card simply won't work in any 3G device (at least in 3G mode) as it would be completely missing the embedded app to connect on a 3G network. The issue is evolving 3G spec's over the years along with varying SIM card capabilities (memory, etc) that might affect how well it works with some phones in 3G.

I've had the opposite problem where at least one of the later "3G" SIM cards wouldn't work in a 2G only phone.

**Rocky** · 07-23-2010, 12:00 AM

I have an 8-9 year old sim card and 3G works fine.

**ParthG** · 07-23-2010, 12:05 AM

The 2G SIMs can probably still authenticate you on the 3G network because Rogers/Fido has not switched to UMTS authentication which requires the USIM application which is only found on newer 3G UICCs.

Basically, the only difference between a GSM-only auth UICC ("2G SIM") and a UMTS+GSM auth UICC ("3G SIM") is that the "3G SIM" has the USIM application in addition to the SIM application. Until Rogers/Fido changes to UMTS authentication there will be no difference. [Apart from memory increases, 64k, if you're still using a REALLY old SIM)

**ma678** · 07-23-2010, 12:18 AM

I keep losing data connections these days. Called Fido several times and was told the only solution is to switch 2g sim to 3g. Definitely BS.

**alpha tag** · 07-23-2010, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by ma678

I keep losing data connections these days. Called Fido several times and was told the only solution is to switch 2g sim to 3g. Definitely BS.

I wouldn't necessarily call bs on that. My friends had to switch to 3G sims in order for their phones to receive calls. One was an iPhone, the other was a Blackjack II.

**pepper99** · 07-24-2010, 12:20 PM

I'm still using my 2G SIM card from my original colour Hiptop/Sidekick in my iPhone 3G, and assuming I can find someone to cut it down I plan on using it in my iPhone4 when I get it.

No issues. It's been through 4 Hiptops, the original iPhone, and the iPhone3G currently.

**robsaw** · 07-24-2010, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by ParthG

The 2G SIMs can probably still authenticate you on the 3G network because Rogers/Fido has not switched to UMTS authentication which requires the USIM application which is only found on newer 3G UICCs.

Interesting, I assumed Rogers/FIDO would be using the USIM authentication app on 3G.

**ParthG** · 07-24-2010, 06:27 PM

Nope... that's why you can still use your older dubbed "2G" SIM cards to access the 3G network. AT&T doesn't use UMTS authentication either. I guess it's an attempt to save some money rather than shipping out new USIM cards to all their ancient subscribers.

**robsaw** · 07-25-2010, 04:45 PM

So, I suspect a lot of SIM issues aren't truly 2G vs 3G but evolving SUM/USIM standards and technical compliance between phones/SIMs. I had a Samsung B5200 dual-sim phone for a while that would not even boot-up properly with one of the latest ROGERS SIMs, worked fine with every other SIM I tried though and that ROGERS SIM worked fine in other phones.

**nk_blu** · 10-11-2010, 10:42 PM

I placed this post in Fido section, my apologies, I will post this on Rogers section...

Kind of digging an old topic here, but I have a problem related to "age" of SIM card, at least that's what the (Rogers) Blackberry technical support agent has said;

Here is the situation: my friend was using a 5 year old Rogers SIM all this time with following devices: Samsung flip phone (some black, flip phone from 2005), Sony Ericsson W580i (Rogers branded), LG Cookie (unbranded, unlocked), Nokia E63-2 (unbranded, unlocked). There were no problems during this time, but mind you that she did not have any data plan.

Now, I gave her my old Blackberry Curve 8310. I even updated to the latest OS version available (as of Oct 5, 2010). We put her 5 year old SIM card in, and called Rogers to add a Blackberry Data plan (The unlimited email/IM one).

The problem is that her data works intermittently, we tried to BBM each other, and the delay of sending/receiving each other's msg is anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 hours. From my end, when I send her a msg, the "checkmark" appears, however the "D" icon does not appear. When it works, it works in a brief window of time. Voice and Texting works fine, it's just the data that's giving her the problem. I do not think there is anything wrong on my end because I've never had a problem with my data plan with Fido. I do not think the device has a problem because I used the device for a day (with my Fido SIM) to get some apps installed and I had no problems with BBM or anything related to data.

We spoke to Rogers' Blackberry Technical agent, and he was able to point out that her current SIM is actually 5 years old (I was kind of amazed by this) and recommended that she get a new Rogers SIM card. His justification was that SIM cards usually are good for 2-3 years, and then may face problems with devices/network.

I'm just wondering if anyone else could point out if there is anything else wrong, I even thought about installing Roger's latest 8310 OS on her Curve (her 8310 Curve is AT&T branded, unlocked). She recently switched to a 3 year old (the SIM card she received with the w580i) Rogers SIM, but still experiencing same problem. However, the problem "seems" to be less frequent and not as bad (like the delay of msg delivery is not anymore than 1-2 hours).

Any help and suggestion would be helpful!

P.S. Is it true that Rogers sell their SIM for $10? I thought it was along $35-$40 to jip more money from clients.

**Wizard1** · 04-01-2012, 09:05 PM

Sorry for reviving this thread but I have a similar question. I have basically been using the same Fido sim card since the late 90s. I recently bought a Rogers Nokia X7 and unlocked it. Previously I was using a Nokia E71-1 and was stuck with EDGE data forever (since the phone didn't support North America 3G Bands). After doing a bit of research I confirmed my suspicions that my SIM Card was indeed 2G

Fido 2G sim card begins 8930237010-XXXXX-XXXXX
Fido 3G sim card begins 8930237020-XXXXX-XXXXX

I also called FIDO and they did a few system tests and confirmed with me as well that I had a 2G sim card. Of course now that I have a North American phone I want to maximize the use of my 6G data plan. Fido wanted to charge me $10 for a 3G sim card and I said no thanks, and bought a 3G SIM on ebay for $5 shipped.

I have't received the card yet, however I see that my phone keeps on displaying that I'm on either a 3G or 3.5G data connection. So I decided to do speed tests on my data speeds and it seems im getting 3-3.5G speeds consistently.

On Mobilespeedtest.com's 5 and 7MB speed tests I get:
2333.333 Kbps Speeds with 0.319 Latency. Transferred 7000 KB in 24 Seconds

On my native Nokia X7 "Speed Meter" app (set on a Toronto Server) I get:
3.95mbps download speed, 0.30mbps upload speed with 238ms Ping.

This puts me just under 4G speeds....I've downloaded quite a few mp3s directly onto my phone and get similar timings/speeds.

So it seems that even though I have a 2G Fido sim card I am still getting 3-3.5G speeds. That being said is there any point in using the 3G Fido Sim that I just bought (would I basically get the same speeds)? Or should I just sell it / keep it as a backup?

**Fritz Z24** · 04-01-2012, 09:15 PM

If you don't experience any drop calls, distortions or slow internet speed you may keep your old sim card.

Seriously, i'm wondering if your reply isn't an April Fool?!?!

Originally Posted by Wizard1

Sorry for reviving this thread but I have a similar question... After doing a bit of research I confirmed my suspicions that my SIM Card was indeed 2G

Fido 2G sim card begins 8930237010-XXXXX-XXXXX
Fido 3G sim card begins 8930237020-XXXXX-XXXXX

I also called FIDO and they did a few system tests and confirmed with me as well that I had a 2G sim card. Of course now that I have a North American phone I want to maximize the use of my 6G data plan. Fido wanted to charge me $10 for a 3G sim card and I said no thanks, and bought a 3G SIM on ebay for $5 shipped.

I have't received the card yet, however I see that my phone keeps on displaying that I'm on either a 3G or 3.5G data connection. So I decided to do speed tests on my data speeds and it seems im getting 3-3.5G speeds consistently.

On Mobilespeedtest.com's 5 and 7MB speed tests I get:
2333.333 Kbps Speeds with 0.319 Latency. Transferred 7000 KB in 24 Seconds

On my native Nokia X7 "Speed Meter" app (set on a Toronto Server) I get:
3.95mbps download speed, 0.30mbps upload speed with 238ms Ping.

This puts me just under 4G speeds....I've downloaded quite a few mp3s directly onto my phone and get similar timings/speeds.

So it seems that even though I have a 2G Fido sim card I am still getting 3-3.5G speeds. That being said is there any point in using the 3G Fido Sim that I just bought (would I basically get the same speeds)? Or should I just sell it / keep it as a backup?

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