T-Mobile SIM card for UK
 

Well, I got my Ericsson R520m phone! It looks great. The only problem is that the owner's manual was completely in Portugese (or Italian), but Expansys sending an English manual tomorrow.

I'm concerned about the SIM card for the UK that I now have, however. After charging the phone (the SIM card was inserted before I charged it, like the directions on the CD said), the phone said "no service."

I'm in the US in a moderately rural area, and of course the card is for use in the UK. I was hoping to make a quick call to the phone just to make sure everything worked. But the phone said, "searching for service" and never did "find" service. Even though it would be roaming, shouldn't the phone work in the US?

One thing comes to mind. The SIM card little square cardboard package had a clear plastic covering around it; however, the inside thin cardboard flap that had a seal on it looked like it had been cut, and the words on the seal said, "Do not accept if this seal is damaged or reads 'void.'"

Is it possible that my UK card simply cannot be used in the area in the US where I am now? Or do I possibly have a SIM card that is damaged?

I am confused. I was under the impression that I would be able to use the card in the US (I only wanted to do so to check it out before a trip to the UK -- it is imperative that the phone is in good working order when I arrive).

Thanks.

You can download an English manual for the R520m from here

I doubt that a T-Mobile UK prepaid SIM will work in the USA--my Virgin UK SIM doesn't. To check that the phone works, just borrow the SIM from a friend whose US cellphone is with a GSM network (Cingular, T-Mobile, some ATT) and pop it in.

If your T-Mobile SIM was NEVER activated in the UK it will not work for pre-pay roaming... Most prepay platforms are the same way. The SIM must first be activated (used once) in the home country.

Thank you very much for the replies! (I just downloaded the manual)

Two questions, though:

1. If, for some reason, the card does not work in the UK, can I just buy one there? If so, generally where are they purchased?

2. The Top-up card has an expiration date of 13/07 (no other numbers). Normally, I would think that would be a month and a year, but there is no 13th month! Surely, the card can't expire on the 13th of July, can it? Something is amiss.

1. You can buy one there. From places at the airport to basically any cell phone store around.

2. I think it is July 2013. [I could be wrong.]

A T-mobile UK prepay that has been activated in the UK should work globally wherever there is a GSM network and T-mobile has a partner roaming agreement.

1) yes, absolutely EVERYWHERE. From grocery stores to anything else...

2) yes, July 13th. Topup cards usually have an expiration date of 3-6 months.

Call them on 011 44 7953 966 150 and ask if they have a different number that you can use abroad to topup the card. Is it activated yet, and do you have it's cellphone number yet? If so they might be able to manually apply the topup code to the account.

How's the size?
 

Jennifer - Just wondering what you think about the R520's size. I've heard differing opinions.

Jennifer, if you get a new SIM card/starter pack on any UK network now you will get an E-Top up card as well. This is binded to your prepay account (no call needed, etc). Use it to add credit to your account at most gas stations, newsagents, supermarkets, etc. The use of vouchers has really started to die off due to this.

"Just wondering what you think about the R520's size. I've heard differing opinions."
I can't speak for Jennifer, but as a guy, I find it's size OK. Its not tiny as it is not a clamshell. I put it in my shirt pocket and the antenna sticks out of the top of the pocket.
For me this is fine, as I use it as my international cell phone for leisure travel.
I have not had a lot of experiece with these types of phones, but I have a hard time thinking of how I could get a better phone for the money, given the limited uses I put it to. With the high capacity battery I get standby times in excess of 18 days. I rarely take the charger with me internationally because of this.
Nex week I will take to Oz fo 9 days.

As others have posted the cards are available everywhere. Two chains, The Link and Carphone Warehouse have locations all over. The Link has at least one store in Heathrow and I think there are places selling cards at Gatwick as well, I just havent bought one there. I did buy my Virgin Mobile SIM card and starter pack at The Link at LHR.