3 Phone SIM blocked in tablet...

[Beeste]

I have a problem with using a phone SIM in my Sony Xperia Z tablet. I have a 3 Mobile 'One-Plan' phone SIM that allows tethering in a spare S3 mobile phone running as a hotspot, and I use my tablet tethered to that. When I place the SIM in the tablet I get the SIMblock message and a link that offers to charge me more for a grossly limited data per month tablet plan. How might I get around this ridiculous state of affairs? If I can tether, why not just let me use the chip as I see fit anyway?? This is not a tether blocking problem, the tethering works fine, it's a SIM transferability problem. I know the T&Cs are against this but the net effect will be the same so I might as well set it up for my convenience rather than theirs!
Does it work by IMEI in which case I guess changing the IMEI would work, which might be illegal in some places (though I'm sure I could go to some country where it isn't, change the IMEI, and come back...)
The weirdest thing is, I have an older 3 phone SIM (same plan) working in another identical tablet without any problems!

 

[Thom]

Who is your carrier (like AT&T or Verizon)?

... Thom

 

[Beeste]

3(Three) is the network name

 

[!on]

Might be because [some] tablets use mobile broadband sims instead of phone sims? I know I can't use a MiFi sim in an unlocked phone...

 

[John Bean]

Yes, that would be my guess too. You can't interchange current 3 broadband and phone SIMS, it may have been different in the past.

3 has been upgrading its UK network recently in its preparations for 4G and its possible that there are now more checks for device type/compatibility in place; for a time I lost service in my area and even though I could see 3 listed I was unable to connect to it. After normality returned I could see two networks named 3 but can only connect to one of them with my SIM (see screenshot).

I'm sure it will all come together eventually... well, maybe

 

[funkylogik]

Try changing the APN on the tablet to "3internet".
Worth a try :thumbup:

 

[Slug]

Just don't blame anyone here if your SIM is deactivated or you receive a hefty bill.

I have a 3 Mobile 'One-Plan' phone SIM

That's the reason. The One Plan is intended for use with mobile phones; Three offer separate data-only plans for use with 3G-enabled tablets and/or dongles.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

That's true slug but that 3mobile simz wouldn't work cause the imei would be what the sims see if no imei it wont work I had that problem but I think that 3mobile is a part of T-Mobile .

 

[funkylogik]

Dont 3g/4g tablets have an imei though?

 

[Beeste]

The weird thing is I have two Xperia tablet z's one I have been using a 3 SIM in for ages without problem and the other picks it up that it's a phone SIM in a few seconds. I wonder if one is a German tablet and the other uk, so maybe they don't have access to the German IMEI vs device...
Not keen to test swap in case I tip them the wink...

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Not all galaxy tab doesn't . I thought they do but only was intended for 3g or WiFi usage .

 

[Beeste]

Try changing the APN on the tablet to "3internet".
Worth a try :thumbup:

Thanks but I tried this already, it didn't work.

Cheers for all the replies to everyone

 

[El Presidente]

Dont 3g/4g tablets have an imei though?

Yes. Both my 3G Nexus &'s have IMEI's, as does my mum's 3G Galaxy Tab (not sure which variant).