Telecom SIM cards to be updated by August
Back at the end of last month, we reported that Telecom were to roll-out new SIM cards that would fix the non-functioning voicemail-button issue that has plagued iPhone owners on XT since updating to iOS 4 without our carrier bundle. Now, a source within Telecom has tonight (incorrectly – see update) confirmed that the erroneously-set MBDN field on their V1 and V2 SIM cards will be fixed via an over-the-air (OTA) update by the end of July, allowing iPhone users to set their Voicemail number.
Users of Telecom XT’s Version 1 and Version 2 (black and blue coloured respectively) will be receiving SIM updates before August to correctly fill in the MBDN field in their SIM card’s database. This allows devices which use this field, such as the iPhone, Blackberry and reportedly some Windows Mobile phones, to call Voicemail via the native ‘button’ without doing unauthorised modifications.
Also today, iPhonewzealand users have reportedly been able to upgrade their SIM cards (at a cost of $19.95) to the V3 edition which has not been announced as available yet.
Our source claims that after the OTA updates, the V2 and V3 SIM cards will effectively be the same thing. The updates are being rolled out via the physical V3 updated SIM cards and OTA updates of earlier SIMs. The V3 SIMs are intended for new customers so they don’t need to be updated once purchased. The OTA updates for all SIMs started yesterday and will continue through until the 21st of July at which point, if your phone has not been upgraded (ie. you cannot call Voicemail) then the easiest method to get the update would be to obtain a new V3 SIM from a Telecom retail store.
If you are the owner of a Version 1 SIM (black/dark grey coloured) then the upgrades to either a V2 or V3 will be free. If you are on a V2 then a standard replacement fee applies.
The updates were originally only meant to be for the SIM Toolkit (STK) and Preferred Roaming List (PRL), but were supposedly changed to include updates to the MBDN field.
Below is an image of the three SIMs that you may have seen from Telecom. From left to right – V1, V2, V3. As you can see the V2 and V3 are exactly the same colour but the V3 has a rounded metal contacts section (thanks to Camtab for supplying the image).
Left to Right - V1, V2, V3 SIMs
UPDATE 1:40pm. With thanks to Neal Richardson of Telecom, we’ve now been given the full facts and it appears that while some over-the-air fixes are being applied to existing SIMs, the voicemail number isn’t one of those fixes. Neal has confirmed that V3 SIMs do contain the fix and will allow your iPhone to connect to your voicemail service via the voicemail button, but while an OTA fix for existing SIMs may be possible it’s not on the cards in the immediate future.
Just goes to show that internal sources aren’t all as knowledgeable on the products they deal with as they pretend to be! Thanks for setting the story straight, though, Neal.
Have you got a new V3 SIM card from Telecom or think your SIM has been updated? Let us know in the comments below!
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@ thefatmould:
I know! But then I’d just have to buy a new micro sim. So I’m stuck waiting…
(visionarymedia has made 65 comments)
It would appear V3 SIMs are not stocked everywhere yet. OTA updates to V2 will make them effectively V3 SIMs with a different colour.
I have a V3 sim and it’s the same colour as the V2… Only way to tell them apart is on the sticker on the case when you buy it.
(camtab has made 271 comments)
Will they text to advise your sim has been updated or just happens? I have a sim in my iPad that I cut up into micro sized but wouldn’t mind it being updated as well (it’s V2). Not sure the OTA will work on the iPad so need to put the sim in my phone but wouldn’t mind knowing when it was due
(camtab has made 271 comments)
lakeview01 wrote:
My V2 sims (I have 2) are also white on the back with XT. The V2 and V3 (at least mine) are identical in appearance.
(camtab has made 271 comments)
The V2 are blue, according to Telecom. I have a V1, so dunno.
@ camtab:
The V2 sim card is blue on the back the V1 is black on the back and the V3 is white on the back
(lakeview01 has made 147 comments)
can anyone post pictures of V3?
(s.p.w has made 32 comments)
there must be something that is easily identifiable to distinguish between all 3 SIM version?
(s.p.w has made 32 comments)
Telecom SIM’s – V1, V2 and V3 http://bit.ly/apPLlq
(Dan has made 392 comments)
mine V3 sim looks like the 1 u had on ur post about the xt sims being updated its white with XT Telecom on it
(lakeview01 has made 147 comments)
TechBitus.com posted this story first. So you can not claim this as an “exclusive” story.
(brycebeattie has made 2 comments)
Thanks for that info. It looks like I have a V1 SIM. (I've been on XT since launch day) So I guess I'll have to wait until august and a new iPhone 4 for my Voicemail button to work.
(visionarymedia has made 65 comments)
"If you are the owner of a Version 1 SIM (black/dark grey coloured) then the upgrades to either a V2 or V3 will be free. If you are on a V2 then a standard replacement fee applies."
@visionarymedia you are eligible for a FREE v3 SIM
(thefatmould has made 32 comments)
Opps appears I sent pic rotated… Pretty sure it’s clear but left to right now becomes top to bottom V1, V2 and V3. Thanks for the post team and to TechBitus for keeping us informed.
(camtab has made 271 comments)
camtab wrote:
On the mobile version of the site…looks normal on the full site
(camtab has made 271 comments)
I don't know the technical behind it but as long as the SIM is connected to the network it should be upgraded regardless of device. If it fails to get the update, you'll probably be able to argue at a Telecom retail store that you need the updated software that you weren't able to get OTA and get a V3 for free.
The new V3 sim is white on the back and says XT
(lakeview01 has made 147 comments)
Can I suggest you check your source of the OTA update to resolve the VM number as I am unaware of this.
Neal Richardson.
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/neal-richardson/3/b52/316
(Nealr has made 7 comments)
lakeview01 wrote:
I am not sure what the story is and don't doubt that is what you were told by telecom but I have all 3 versions in front of me and my V1 is indeed black on the metal contact side, the V2 has a blue/white shade and the V3 is identical. The other side of all 3 is white that has the number written on it. Maybe there is a version 2.5 out there? I can take photos and email them to the team?
(camtab has made 271 comments)