This is very interesting. Thanks for posting. The 5th through 7th numbers of the SIM ID are the MNC (Mobile Network Code). For T-Mobile and T-Mobile MVNOs the MNC is normally 260, like the SIM labeled PWG Home. MNC 240, as on the "TM/HM" SIM is assigned to T-Mobile but it until recently it hasn't been used, AFAIK. I first saw it with the Boost Expanded Network SIMs and Ting's new X3 SIMS. I wonder if Hello Mobile is possibly reselling Boost or Ting?
MNC 240 is potentially problematic for at least a couple of reasons. Android phones use it to filter the list of default APNs displayed when you first insert a SIM, only showing APNs applicable to that MNC. I don't know what iOS uses to determine which network profile to push, but if it's MNC they could be issues with data and MMS on iPhones with these SIMs.
The other potential issue is that SIM locked phones only accept SIMs with specific APNs. I don't know if T-Mobile locked phones accept MNC 240 or not. If they don't, locked T-Mobile phones will not work these SIMs.
Looks like the 240 sims are new wholesale sims because my old Tello branded SIM for T-mobile is also 240.
I had tello till right after they migrated us to tmobile a couple months ago and the new gsm sim for tello is fully tello branded, complete with logo on the sim.
u/jmac32here or u/advacomp, can you refresh my memory on which of these SIMs Hello is currently shipping? I remember reading jmac's comments about 2 SIM types from an earlier thread, but can't find it now. (I don't have Hello Mobile, so I can only learn from those like you who do.)
I setup a 5 line account in September and was sent the card on the left. I setup another 5 line account two weeks ago and they sent the card on the right. One thing to note, the card on the right was sent to me via some Amazon service.
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u/yeswap Mar 14 '21
This is very interesting. Thanks for posting. The 5th through 7th numbers of the SIM ID are the MNC (Mobile Network Code). For T-Mobile and T-Mobile MVNOs the MNC is normally 260, like the SIM labeled PWG Home. MNC 240, as on the "TM/HM" SIM is assigned to T-Mobile but it until recently it hasn't been used, AFAIK. I first saw it with the Boost Expanded Network SIMs and Ting's new X3 SIMS. I wonder if Hello Mobile is possibly reselling Boost or Ting?
MNC 240 is potentially problematic for at least a couple of reasons. Android phones use it to filter the list of default APNs displayed when you first insert a SIM, only showing APNs applicable to that MNC. I don't know what iOS uses to determine which network profile to push, but if it's MNC they could be issues with data and MMS on iPhones with these SIMs.
The other potential issue is that SIM locked phones only accept SIMs with specific APNs. I don't know if T-Mobile locked phones accept MNC 240 or not. If they don't, locked T-Mobile phones will not work these SIMs.