On AT&T in the US: how can I get a micro SIM for a N9 if II buy one?

[Viipottaja]

[Sorry if this is a repost question but could not find it by searching.]

So, I am on AT&T in the US. I am seriously thinking of getting the N9 but how would I convince AT&T to give me a micro SIM for it? Don't tell me I need to get a iPhone.. wonder if they would believe me if I lied I got an iPhone from overseas and need the SIM for it? :D

[abill_uk]

[Sorry if this is a repost question but could not find it by searching.]

So, I am on AT&T in the US. I am seriously thinking of getting the N9 but how would I convince AT&T to give me a micro SIM for it? Don't tell me I need to get a iPhone.. wonder if they would believe me if I lied I got an iPhone from overseas and need the SIM for it? :D

You will have to cut it down yourself because i don't think AT&T will supply one AND you got to actually get the N9 first, this might be your problem.

[linuxeventually]

If your cutting skills are as poor as mine this might help: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/stainless-steel-micro-sim-card-cutter-with-micro-sim-card-adapters-for-apple-ipad-iphone-4-41275

I'm sure it can be had for cheaper if you shop around. Standard FYI applies, 4 weeks shipping for DX (Hong Kong, China) to US.

Don't tell them you have a N9, though the IMEI is probably in their system anyway. So they may force a smartphone data plan.

[bobh]

Don't tell them you have a N9, though the IMEI is probably in their system anyway. So they may force a smartphone data plan.

Does the N9 even support AT&T's 3G band? (don't bother complaining aboute the lack of AT&T's "4G" - they are the worst liars of all 4 cellcoms)

I don't know about that. They haven't detected my N900 yet, or my wife's C1. It seems like they only have phones they sell in their database.

The N9 is a penta-band phone. It supports all of the 3G frequencies and so should work on AT&T's 3G.

[erzhik]

1. Cut yourself OR
2. Buy a cutting tool OR
3. Go to AT&T and tell them you need a micro sim (It's just a sim). Tell them you have N9 and I don't see a problem getting it. OR
4. Go to a local mall and look around the kiosks where they sell iPhones, where they wrap iphones, they have cutting tools and will gladly cut for you.

[gerbick]

Go to the store. It'll be free.

They already offer micro-SIMs for the iPhone 4 and iPad 3G.

[Kangal]

If the N9 needs a microSIM, then HIVST&T will give you a microSIM, they are carrier.

If you can't do it yourself, an asian lady may do the job for you, look for her in the mall near cheap accessories.

[Viipottaja]

Thanks all (except Kangal, although yours was mildly funny) for the advice! Cannot believe that folks actually need to cut regular sims down.. what is this, the 20th century? :D

I'll first try to get one from AT&T but if not, I guess I have to go the cutting route.

[marrat]

Why shouldn't they provide you with a microSIM?

I'm on T-Mobile Germany and they are carrying iPhone 4 as well. I just asked them for a microSIM and 2 days later I had it in my hands. They didn't ask questions why I'd need one or any other things...

[hawaii]

AT&T will likely attempt to charge you for a microSIM unless you are re-upping your contract.

Buy a clean one off a local seller for $5 if they won't give you one.

[BigBadGuber!]

There are plenty of microSIM cutters for few bucks that will convert regular SIM to micro

[marrat]

There are plenty of microSIM cutters for few bucks that will convert regular SIM to micro

There are even cutting templates for printout on the internetz... no need for spending money here...

[don_falcone]

Why shouldn't they provide you with a microSIM?

I'm on T-Mobile Germany and they are carrying iPhone 4 as well. I just asked them for a microSIM and 2 days later I had it in my hands. They didn't ask questions why I'd need one or any other things...

But this is the US. they will probably ask questions, because you have to pay an extra here for smartphones that are getting attached to a plan. Are there feature-/dumphones available in the US that use microSIMs?

(btw, T-Mobile DE even charged me going from a 2001 SIM to a USIM in 2008)

[白い熊]

There are plenty of microSIM cutters for few bucks that will convert regular SIM to micro
OK, what if you want to use the SIM in a regular phone then, after it's been cut, what do you do?

[jalyst]

See here
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=microsim+to+sim+adapter

Be careful though, some adapters are not suitable for some phones that take sims.

E.g.
N8 manual strongly recommends against people using a mSIM to SIM adapter, as you can risk damaging the internal connectors.
People still do it, but it's tricky, you have to be careful

[BigBadGuber!]

OK, what if you want to use the SIM in a regular phone then, after it's been cut, what do you do?

you can get adapters that will make your microsim regular sim again

[YavkatA]

I have an n9 and I am on Pay As You Go on AT&T. Just went to their office yesterday and they refused to issue a microSIM. They said they can only issue microsims if you have a contract. I tried cutting the SIM card myself, but it was not recognized by the phone. I ordered a cutter which should arrive in about 5 days, and I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I tried using a contract microSIM for an Iphone, and it works. It seems like the chip on the AT&T microsim and the AT&T pay as you go sim are slightly different in size - the pay as you go sim has a longer and slightly narrower chip. I really hope that when I cut it with the cutter, it will work. Otherwise, I'm screwed....

[jpfsn]

Different carriers can use slightly different 'standard' sim sizes (the important metallic part of the sim card). My experience was that the T-mobile (UK) sim was too large to cut without damaging the actual sim. So I had to nip down to the local T-mobile shop and they were kind enough to sell me a duplicate micro-SIM for £10GBP. In most cases the cutter option should work fine, I'm just saying be careful and take your time. :-)

[eerde]

OK, what if you want to use the SIM in a regular phone then, after it's been cut, what do you do?

Well just ask your carrier to send you a dual SIM.

When I bought my N9 here in The Netherlands, they gave me a microsim. By the time I put they sim back in my N900 (they needed the number) my tel# had been switched to the new microsim for my N9, I left thhe shop making a test call.

At home I called my carrier (KPN) and asked for a dual sim anormal sized sim fo my N900 with the same tel#. It cost me 30,= Euro's and they send a micro sim for the N9 as well, for some reason.

Received it two days later and replaced the micro for the N9 and the normal sim for the N900. First call actived them.
Of course only one sim works at the time.

[gerbick]

AT&T will likely attempt to charge you for a microSIM unless you are re-upping your contract.

This is 100% wrong. Do research before stating anything this wrong.

@YavkatA - you need to go to a full-blown AT&T store. They normally do not have PAYG sim cards in stock, but the larger, official stores do.

[bmstrong]

Correct. Just walk in and show them the new toy. Works for me all the time. Make sure it's a corp store they tend to be a bit nicer.

[AndyNokia232]

Correct. Just walk in and show them the new toy. Works for me all the time. Make sure it's a corp store they tend to be a bit nicer.

Why wouldn't you want to be on T-Mobile's $50 all in pay as you go plan? They also give you a free micro sim if you 'trade-in' your regular one. I'm on T-Mo and I have to say, they are great. My N9 likes it :)

[bmstrong]

Why wouldn't you want to be on T-Mobile's $50 all in pay as you go plan? They also give you a free micro sim if you 'trade-in' your regular one. I'm on T-Mo and I have to say, they are great. My N9 likes it :)

You can do on better on the $30, 100 Min Unlimited Text and Data plan on T-Mobile PrePaid. But I am grandfathered in under AT&T's unlimited data. I keep it for the upcoming LTE.

[somedude]

cancel at&t and get yourself a microsim from straight talk for $15 you;ll cut your bills in a half, straighttalk offers $45 for unlimited talk, text and data.

[gerbick]

cancel at&t and get yourself a microsim from straight talk for $15 you;ll cut your bills in a half, straighttalk offers $45 for unlimited talk, text and data.

Early Termination Fees are the only reason I've yet to do this...

And T-Mobile has horrible coverage in my area unfortunately.

[linuxeventually]

cancel at&t and get yourself a microsim from straight talk for $15 you;ll cut your bills in a half, straighttalk offers $45 for unlimited talk, text and data.

Do you know what the catch is on the unlimited? Charge, throttle or cut off? Knowing AT&T it's probably a charge over their limit =\

[mcdull]

There are even cutting templates for printout on the internetz... no need for spending money here...

The cutter is less than US$5 shipped on ebay, I have cut a couple of micro sims using that (bought it in Hong Kong before it's widely available).
I'd rather sepnding 5 bucks to get it. Simple and easy, no guess work, no shaky hand, no possibility to cut yourself.

[saladinamir]

I have an n9 and I am on Pay As You Go on AT&T. Just went to their office yesterday and they refused to issue a microSIM. They said they can only issue microsims if you have a contract. I tried cutting the SIM card myself, but it was not recognized by the phone. I ordered a cutter which should arrive in about 5 days, and I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I tried using a contract microSIM for an Iphone, and it works. It seems like the chip on the AT&T microsim and the AT&T pay as you go sim are slightly different in size - the pay as you go sim has a longer and slightly narrower chip. I really hope that when I cut it with the cutter, it will work. Otherwise, I'm screwed....

I was able to get one.... Try another store. Or tell them you're setting up a premier account for your iPhone over the phone and need the sim.. (Premier is the business account service)

[saladinamir]

This is 100% wrong. Do research before stating anything this wrong.

@YavkatA - you need to go to a full-blown AT&T store. They normally do not have PAYG sim cards in stock, but the larger, official stores do.

Also... you don't need a specific "GoPhone" sim.... Regular AT&T sim (and micro sim) cards work well.

[somedude]

Do you know what the catch is on the unlimited? Charge, throttle or cut off? Knowing AT&T it's probably a charge over their limit =\

2GB is the safest point so far known, but there are users who claim to have 5GB+ in one billing cycle.

[asadkhan1988]

i got mine by simply asking for a microsim.

paid 25$ for it

[YavkatA]

AT&T refused to issue me a microsim, since I was on prepiad. Solved the problem by swithing to T-Mobile ;)

[itsnotabigtruck]

But this is the US. they will probably ask questions, because you have to pay an extra here for smartphones that are getting attached to a plan. Are there feature-/dumphones available in the US that use microSIMs?

(btw, T-Mobile DE even charged me going from a 2001 SIM to a USIM in 2008)

For what it's worth, I had no trouble at all obtaining a microSIM, besides a lengthy wait at the store - I didn't even bring the N9 with me.

The SIM cutter would have worked too, but replacing the card seemed a bit more elegant. :)

[sony123]

I did a bad cut on my mini sim so figured I'd better get a proper microsim. I had no problem getting a microsim at a corporate store. I just said I got a new phone that took microsim card and no questions asked. Don't know if they'll charge me or not.. though, forgot to ask.

Of course your mileage may vary, but give it a try. If they ask about the phone, just say it's a Nokia. I am sure no rep in US would ask further :).

[cohbashi84]

Last week, I switched from t-mobile to straight talk: my contract finally ended. I ordered a nokia e5 instead of a micro Sim because I need a back up device. I went back to the t-mobile corporate store where I usually pay my bill to confirm my termination and lo'n'behold the sales rep was using a micro Sim cutter for a girl switching to an iPhone 4. The guy was nice enough to cut my straight talk Sim for free even though I was no longer with t-mobile. I will miss the best customer service in the biz but not their awful coverage in my area. The moral of the story is to call your local cell phone stores (not at&t) and ask if they have a Sim cutter or order a reputable one online. Shot out to someguy for the straight talk heads up.