GSM Auto Dial Alarm

[Anonymous]

Hi all

Six months ago, I installed a GSM Alarm system at my home. These types of alarm, by the way, use a mobile SIM card to dial out - notifying the property owner/keyholder in the event of intruders trying to break in.

It seems, so far, that some networks are unhappy about their SIM cards being used for this purpose. Quite why, I don't know. The alarms do not make heavy use of the network, is not for illegal activity (actually preventing it) These type of alarms are already very popular, as they don't need a vulnerable landline.

I have checked on several security websites for SIM cards that won't run into problems, by that I mean, being blocked or terminated by the given network. It appears 02 SIM's are popular.

However, I find myself being very cautious, as some sellers out there sell the SIM to a customer - only for the customer to find the SIM gets blocked. I am one of them 😞

So, after all that, here is my question.

Is 02 really ok about their SIM's being used for GSM alarms?

I am banking on the Yes answer

[Anonymous]

Hi.

I've not come across any issues on the forum about this type of use.

In order to keep a Payg SIM card live your required to top up / make a call every 6 months.

SIM cards can be ordered from O2's website or picked up from an O2 high street store. Their is no cost to them apart from an O2 store usually asking a person to top it up by £10 before leaving the shop.

Link to order Free O2 SIM cards.
https://www.o2.co.uk/freesim/

We are customers here too so if your wanting an official response then you can contact O2 Customer Services via ;

O2 Customer Services.
202 for Contract
4445 for PAYG
Live Chat http://www.o2.co.uk/mobile/contactus
E mail https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help
Contract Customer From a landline 0844 809 0202 > 5p / min
Payg From a landline 0844 809 0222 > 5p / min

Or Private message @Toby who is an O2 site staff employee.

[perksie]

I would go for a GiffGaff sim as the credit does not expire, you still need to make a call every 6 months and you're still on the O2 network.

[Anonymous]

Thank you both for your replies


@bandofbrothers
Thanks for that info, very much appreciated. I have also sent Toby a PM.


@perksie
I had looked over some posts on the GiffGaff community forum, earlier. Some people had experienced sim blocking due to their usage going against the T&C's. Though, I am not sure if it was due to the users not keeping the sim live, or not. Though, there are some indications, that the devices themselves went against the T&C's.

I posted a similar message on their forum for clarity, and have had several replies that say, it should be ok as long as a call/txt is made every six months (same as you, as they use your network)

.. and as you said, I am still using O2.

[perksie]

I doubt Toby can offer anything else as O2 don't actively support this type of use.

[Anonymous]

You're very welcome Rob,

Toby can give you an official O2 response, ontop of advice given by us also O2 customers.

[Toby · Accepted solution]

Hi Rob,

I've just PM'd you and I shall see what I can find out about this.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks Toby, I have just logged and read it

[Anonymous]

Hi Toby

Sorry it has been a while to reply.. I have been giving plenty of time to see how things panned out with regard to the GSM Alarm.

Great news.. It is fine, no problems what so ever


I now have a question, though not related to the latter.

Over the past few months, my current provider 3UK, who I have a contract with, has let me down in a big way 😞

Just some brief background to put you in the picture.

For six years, I had used 3uk for my broadband.. without any issues. Being happy with that, in April of last year 2013, I decided to take up a contract for my phone as well.

Then, 29th November 2013, both my broadband (payg) and contract phone connectivity went down hill. Despite many complaints, they never sorted out my problems. Further to that, given I have extensive networking backgrounds.. I purchased additional equipment to better the connectivity issues.. to no effect.

As it is, I am having to pay them £15 per month for a service I can nolonger use. They (3uk) are not quick to fix it.

I must add here, that I am partially disabled, so what work I am able to do is limited. My shopping is internet based, and my now, mostly voluntary work, is internet based.

I am also an ex-pro photographer, in the face of current illness, trying to make a slow come back - having my own website, which has gone down hill due to the above issues.

3UK insists, that I pay them a total of a year and a half, to free myself of their/my contract. Just so I can move over to a provider that can, really provide a service.. namely yourselves.

I feel trapped, to say the least 😞


The service your company provides, coverage wise, is stronger. Just to bolster that remark.. Apart from my GSM Alarm system - using your service, I have a duel SIM phone (very expensive one) In slot A, I have an 02 payg sim - in slot B, I have my 3UK contract sim. 02 shows up full strength - with great speed... while 3uk is practically unusable. Says it all really, doesn't it?.


I have, in the past used 02, but taken in by 3UK's promo's, moved to them... bad move. Now I am paying - literally - for it.

Toby, Is there a way I can come back - getting rid of 3UK at the same time?


As a side note.. there is an increase in 3uk members - like myself, feeling cut off! support wise and service wise.


I really would appreciate your help with this


Rob