Old SIM Card Issues

[Some_Guy]

I have not been able to receive or send phone calls or text messages for a few months now.  I have tried my SIM card, which is probably ten years or so old now, in other phones, before and after it stopped working, and I still can't get a signal nor can I receive or send phonecalls or texts and I can't access any of the O2 services, such as Top Up Credit.

I guess that it might have been deactivated by O2 due to inactivity but that's just a guess.  Does anyone know if I can reactivate my old SIM card or if I need a replacement.  If I need a replacement, how can I keep my old number and contact lists, if possible, for sake of hassle due to my old number being part of other accounts I have online for security purposes?

Any help would be appreciated,

Cheers.

[Anonymous]

Hi

A payg sim is de activated after a call has not been made via it in 6 months and not topped up in 999 days.

Can you make calls to the number ?

If you contact O2 they may be able to re activate it for you.

http://www.o2.co.uk/contactus

Once they have re activated it , if possible, you can if you wish then visit any O2 shop and they'll perform a sim swap for you which moves your number and tariff from the old sim to a new one. You'll be supplied with a 4G compatible one.

If they cannot then you can order a new one here https://www.o2.co.uk/freesim/ or pick one up from an O2 shop (you may have to top up with £10 before leaving the shop) and start again with a new mobile number.

Your contact numbers stored on the old sim should still be accessible.

[MI5]

It will depend entirely on:
a - the last time the sim was active
b - if your number has been recycled or not (due to a).
Only CS can advise further for you.
Call 4445 from an O2 payg phone or 0344 8090222 from a landline.

[Bambino]

If the number was so important for security purposes, why did you let it lapse for so long?

[jonsie]

I've had sims reactivated after 9-10 months so your only option here is to call customer service.