12.20
I’m currently using a billing plan on meteor.ie with my new HTC Hero which I also got from meteor. Everything works fine on the phone and I love it, but unfortunately, I keep getting an annoying error from time to time where the phone doesn’t seem to detect the SIM card or indicating ‘No Service’.
The solution to the problem is by turning off and then back on the phone—precarious, I know, but that’s what I’m doing. At this point I’m a bit annoyed since I’m having to do it quite often. I depend on the phone for communicating by several means—twitter, flickr, facebook, emails, not to mention and most importantly phone calls and SMS’s. So I’m getting worried that I might miss important calls or the phone might fail on important eventualities.
My guess is that there’s something going on with meteor.ie network but so far no certainty. Meteor has set up a twitter account: @meteor_mobile but they haven’t been able to give me an answer yet after a few DMs exchanged nor have they been updating their twitter posts since December 9th. Customer Service in store or online doesn’t have much idea either 
So, I’m wondering if anybody else out there, with their new HTC Hero here in Dublin (Ireland) have had issues with the meteor.ie network or seen fairly often the ‘No Service’ message? What about the customer service or feedback on the issue? Anything at all?
UPDATE: 21/12/2009
After an email exchange with a rep from meteor.ie, I’ve got asked these questions which I responded on the following extract.
1. When did the problem started?
Started as soon as I bought it. I had an HTC Hero for a few weeks, with different SIM card and it happened. Then lost and bought a new phone (different SIM card) and happened again up till today.
2. The nature of the problems e.g. inability to able or receive calls, bad quality of call, call dropping during conversation, failure when sending SMS’s
Check out blog post. No problem with anything as long as I don’t get the error.
3. How many signal bars does your handset display when you have problems
It usually happen when I’m not using the phone. Just when I touch the screen to do something with it, I get welcomed with the image I have on my blog post I don’t know the amount of bars.
4. Do you experience the same problems when you put your SIM card into another Meteor handset? If you have not tried this can you please do so
I don’t have another handset at the moment. And I’m not buying another.
No, I didn’t have a problem before with any of the previous handsets I had. Again, the problem happen from time to time randomly. Sometimes it doesn’t happen in a couple of days, and sometimes happen 2 or 3 times in a single day.
5. Do you experience the same problems when you put a different Meteor SIM card your handset? If you have not tried this can you please do so
I had two different SIM cards and I had the same problem with both on the two HTC Hero’s I had. Never had a problem with any phone before, just the HTC Hero.
6. What error message do you receive when you try to make calls or send text messages?
I don’t get any error messages when I try to make call or send messages. Again, the error happens when I click on the ‘home’ button to do something with it, not while I’m using it.
7. Are there other Meteor customers in the area with the same issue?
I don’t know. In the store they told me that they are, but they don’t know what it is. A customer rep told me that the phone is flawed and needed to modify the software in it.
8. Can you forward 3 examples of dropped calls that you made within the past 24 hours?
As I said on my blog post, and here as well, there wasn’t any call drops or anything wrong while I use the phone, The only problem I have is that when I don’t use the phone and then I press the ‘home’ button to do something, I get that screen I posted on my blog
Looks like this problem has been reported on a forum thread at meteor.ie site.
One of my co-workers, Paul, found this forum thread that might just do the trick and from the several comments I did this:
Put your Virgin SIM card into another phone. Enable the SIM password (PIN1). Remember that PIN! Then put it back into the Hero. When prompted, key in the PIN, and you should be good.
If you don’t have a spare phone lying around (or cannot bother someone to lend you theirs for 10 minutes), then a replacement SIM may be easier.
from .dan!el post on the same site
Have a look at the entire thread on the forum. There are a few explanations and interesting insights to have an overall idea of the problem.
Anyway, it’s been an hour since I’ve done it and hopefully that will be the end of my conundrum (and all the others) *Knock on wood*. I’ll keep updating this post if this didn’t work.
UPDATE: 22/12/2009
Unfortunatelly the previously solution quoted didn’t work. About an hour after I did it, I got the ‘No Service’ screen again.
However, I tried something else which I don’t know if it’ll make any difference or not, but it is another option. I went to the phone Settings >> Security >> Set up SIM card lock >> Change SIM PIN; and then change the pin number from there. I don’t know if this will work or not, but like I said, it’s another option. Let’s see what happen
UPDATE: 26/12/2009
So that last option didn’t work either. As I kept exchanging a couple of messages with the meteor people, looks like they are going to replace it:
I have been advise by our technical team that the issue is not a network issue but a handset issue and I would advise you to return the phone to us so we can verify the fault and will issue you with a replacement phone.
This is it then. I’m going to do this and hopefully will be the end of our phone idyll.
it happens with all of them and its a software glitch, myself and two friends have the phone and it happens on all of them. its not an issue caused by meteor as the software is only done by htc and the phones have no meteor software (ie. welcome screens,ringtones etc…not even a network lock!), wait for the software update from htc website. in the meantime if you download an “airplane mode” app from the app market it saves having to turn the phone off and on. just turn airplane mode on and off enter your pin and your up and running.
@pox: Thanks for your comment. Yes, they’ve asked me to return the phone for them to replace it with a fixed one and that’s what I’ll be doing. I’ll try your suggestion in the meantime and see to install that airplane mode app
i think its an hardware issue, the sim card holding thing is designed to also hold slight thicker sim cards, just put some paper between battery and simcard and you will be fine…
for those worried of putting paper there, a second sim card between the metal holder and the battery works just as fine…
@hero_user: It’s worth the try. Thanks for the tip!
@Ivan: I have had the same problem and after some really terrible rudeness from the Meteor shop they send it back and it was replaced, the new one just did the same thing. I will try putting thick card behind it. Has this worked for you?
Thanks for posting on this, it is great to see it isn’t just me.
@Conor: Well… I just sent the phone back to them. I’m waiting for it as of present. As you are saying, is the SIM card that might be too thin for the holder. I’ll probably be doing the same as you and @hero_user pointed if the problem persists. I’ll update with a comment to see if this works or if you do it and work, please, let us know
same issue here. funny thing is, with a hungarian sim the phone is running for weeks, meteor sim max 12 hours. phone and sim replaced as well f*****n annyoing
@l1x: as a conclusion it’s just the SIM card too thin. Nothing wrong with the phone per se. As of present I got a refund for the phone I returned. Looking to see if I buy from reseller.
@ivan, exactly. the SIM card is not too thin but the copper part is pretty small. i am thinking about something else now.
a, ask meteor to give a different type of SIM
b, order some equipment and modify the sim, soldering a new layer on the top of the current one and extend the sim as it must be in order to get it working wo/ issues with hero
c, use a sim card which suits hero and modify the data on it, i am currently reading the documentation but it seems impossible at this stage
i keep you posted if you wish.
anyhow, the meteor guy told me it is a phone problem and he was wrong. meteor doesn’t give a shit about it and this is really annoying. i want to have android with htc phone, maybe nexus regardless to meteor’s impotent actions
I had a G1( HTD Dream) in the USA, and never had problems like this.. Plus I have friends when have the G2( Hero) over there and no problems so I dont think its a hardware issue with the Hero. I also used my G1 ( unlocked), with 02 pay as you go for the past few months and never had a problem.. Loved it! Decided to “upgrade” to the Hero last week with meteor and its driving me mad so far with the same issue as above. Realistically, once the SIM error happens, you dont have a phone until you notice it and fix it.. Not really the point in having a mobile phone! Anyone having issues with the signal being week also? I can be next to another meteor phone with perfect signal and my Hero will have 1/2 bars. I assume its all related. Will try the paper behind the Sim and see if that works…
Any other sugestions welcome…. I am a big android/HTC Fan so hoping I can continue to use it!!
@l1x yes, the Meteor people don’t have a clue and that was the dissappointing thing for me. Mostly for the amount of time they made me waste on it.
In terms of your first point, I don’t think they have a different type of SIM card. I didn’t ask if they do, though. Maybe they will have an specific one for the Hero once they find out how many people is pissed off.
If you find some good info that can help. More than thankful to take it. Sure it’ll help all the other people
@JD: Totally agree and that was exactly my problem as well. I also love the phone so it’s a pitty having to deal with this issue. Hopefully it’ll be sorted out soon. I’ll be getting a new phone this weekend (fingers crossed) and what I’ll do first is what @hero_user suggested and see if that sort me out.
Hi guys, honestly I don’t think the suggested fix with extra paper/extra SIM will make any difference. It may also damage the SIM slot. Anyway, I could be wrong so if you are really desperate, give it a try and let us know how you’re getting on. In the meantime, my educated guess is that this is all BOTH network and handset issue – combined. Meteor unfortunately has some problems with the EDGE/HSDPA (or 2G/3G if you want) handover. When you lose 3G signal (which can happen when you move an area but it can easily happen while you are stationary – due to increased calls/data transfer or so called ‘breathing cell’ effect of 3G networks), the network should hand your SIM over to the EDGE (2G) network seamlessly. But that’s not always the case unfortunately – problem may occur with any network combining these 2 network modes, but this seems to be working worse with Meteor then with other networks at the moment. So far this would be network-related issue. Believe me it does affect other phones as well, not just Hero. But…and now we are getting to the handset side of it…some phones seem to be affected by this worse than others. Unfortunately HTC Hero may the one most seriously affected so far – and that is related to the HW/SW used in the handset itself. There have been numerouse complains by Meteor’s HTC Hero users considering the fact it’s still quite new on the market. On the other hand, most of the HTC are rather demanding and technology savvy (not that it’s wrong) and they have also paid more than an average user – so they may also be more demanding and ‘louder’ (on forums) than the average user.
If you read the relevant posts on Meteor site’s boards (http://forums.meteor.ie) you’ll find out recent info on the problem – and apprently both Meteor and HTC are working to try to resolve some the issues which in itself confirms this is a problem on both the sides.
…
Well, let us know how you got on with the the extra paper/double SIMdwich solution…
Regards
Traverse
@Traverse: many thanks for the detailed comment! By far the best explanation of the problem and from your description, without myself knowing too much about the issue, sounds quite accurate (a network problem, was my first guess). On the 2G and 3G not switching seamlessly, I think that probably has a connection with people indicating that the strength signal bars were really low sometimes or going from low to high and vice versa.
However I will say that I have couple other friends on different networks and with HTC Hero’s as well and they haven’t got a single problem with their phones. I’ll see if there is any different going on with their providers.
I’ll check out what’s going on in the meteor forum as well. Thanks a bunch again
Hello,
I have the same issue as all of you, but the point is that one friend of mine that bought the HTC hero weeks berofe to me doesn’t have the issue, so I do not know if it’s a problem in the Network on account that all the people with HTC Hero would have the same issue.
I tried to download the ROM to 2.73.405.5 (the default in HTC europe website) and the issue is the same
@Angel: yes, I rooted and downloaded the MoDaCo but that didn’t make a difference either
I think what @Traverse outlined in his explanation are the main issues to this problem.
Thanks Ivan.
But my question is, why some customers with the same phone don’t have the issue?. My friend bought the same phone one month ago and he doesn’t have the issue. The only difference is that he is running the default ROM version provided by Meteor. It’s really weird.
Guys,
there is a SIM called TurboSIM for hacking iphone or any vendor locked phone. I am going to order one and try it out it might help if my theory is correct. It costs 15EUR. Keep you updated.
@Angel: yes, it’s weird and quite frankly I don’t know why the case with your friend it’s any different considering it’s the same phone, same software and network provider
@l1x: Ah… I didn’t know about that card! Just checking it now on wikipedia. Yes by all means if you find any improvements on the issue, please let us know
Hi Ivan,
The only difference between my friend and me is that he is using his old SIM card. He did not get a new one because he was a prepaid customer with Meteor. I think that is why he has not the issue.
Anyway, I do not think we should look for the solution, but Meteor should on account that it’s a problem in their network or the SIM card they are providing.
I’d suggest to write a letter to Meteor’s customer service complaining about this. It’s not fair that we have to spend 15E or whatever to put the TurboSIM to solve a problem that is not our fault.
Probably, if they receive many written letters with complaints about the issue they will try to look for a solution.
@Angel: I didn’t know they were different cards. I had prepaid before and SIM’s seemed pretty much the same.
Yes… I think Meteor is aware of the issue and they are working on it. I don’t think all people in customer service know much about it, but hopefully will reach a solution fairly soon.
Some correction of the above post – typos may have made it a bit confusing:, sorry
@Angel said: 2010.01.26 16:20
Hi Angel, the SIM cards are exactly the same but the main difference between you and your friend is likely the signal in your area. If your friend lives in an area where there is strong, constant 3G signal (or even in an area where there is no 3G at all and a good 2G signal), their phone won’t need to switch between the two network modes. And I really believe the phones lose the signal just during these switches, probably not always, but sometimes. As I mentioned before, you may even be in one place (at home) and not move but you may still lose 3G signal when the amount of users connected to your local mast increases – because 3G network coverage spreads/shrinks according to the amount of users (or data transferred to be precise).
On the other hand, there has to be an explanation why HTC and some other phones (eg. 3G iPhone) seem to be affected worse than others. Again, I guess this is related either to the software (Android in HTC) or perhaps even hardware (these phones have so many applications and demand so much battery power, that their capacity to pick the signal may have been slightly reduced by the manufacturers intentionally – to allow reasonable battery life – which otherwise could have been extremely low).
But this is a speculation on my side, though educated and based on info I collected while researching on these problems on the internet.
Please note that similar problems have been reported by SmartPhone users elsewhere, in the US (AT&T) network especially.
Well done @Traverse. You certainly seem to have done your homework. Personally, I’m just going to turn off 3G and stick to the 2G networks and see if that helps; and it should if your guess is right.
What pisses me off is that this flaw doesn’t just lose the network while switching between 2G/3G – it stays disconnected, with no further attempt to connect to any network type. To quickly work around the problem, I have the airplane toggle button on my home screen.
PS: Any wizards out there think they can write a script to detect the problem, and run the airplane mode fix automatically?
Hi,
I have the same problem there, in Lithuania, totaly different network operator. And what confusing me – that I did ROM update long time ago when bought HERO, there was no such issue, just week ago it started to pop up and week ago I haven’t done any software update or changes…
Really interesting to know if some one solved the problem?
Looks like it is the network rather than the phone and I still have it
same thing happening in canada on telus
my hero loses connection when i have it in my pocket too long and it wont come back until i turn phone off or turn airplane mode on off and on….network and phone
so I can confirm 100% thast this is because of reason Traverse wrote – when phone switch form 3G to 2G because of bad connection and it loose connection at all.
when I turn “use only 2g network” everything is fine now. but this is only temporary solution I would say. so I will try to update radio version to new one and see how it goes then.
Bought my Hero two weeks ago. It works perfectly until I leave a web app (Nimbuzz for Skype) running in the background. It then kicks out with the problem described above a few times a day!
Seeing that this is a serious flaw in the Meteor service, has been since last year, and they sold me the phone in full knowledge of the issue – I am on the warpath for a free upgrade to a Legend. Hopefully this will sort the problem. Will let you know if Meteor does the honourable thing.
Well, spent 3hrs in the Meteor store yesterday to get them to acknowledge the problem (in writing). They couldn’t help me further as the manager was not in. Went into the store today with a typed notice of the issue. I gave Meteor 3 options:
-Replace like for like with a guarantee that the new Hero will work on their network
-Replace the Hero with a functional Legend at no extra cost
-Release the Hero contract to me so that I can go to a network on which the phone works
The manager, who at this moment will remain nameless, refused all three. In fact – he refused to sign a dated acknowledgement of receipt of my notice! In fairness, after much argument, he understood my point of view and acknowledged that the Legend will cost the same price as the Hero in a few months. He has verbally undertaken to try and find a solution by Tuesday.
Time logged by me between store and correspondence = 6hrs
Will keep you posted
Well, typing this on my new Legend which meteor exchanged at no additional expense. Meteor called me fairly promptly after an official letter of complaint explaining that their service was not fit for purpose and that they were in breach of contract.
Hopefully this sorts the issue and I will keep you informed.
@Citkane: thanks for your posts!
I reckon you’ll have the same issues with the Legend as with the Hero if you remain with Meteor.
To update,
The Legend STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. (Thanks Ivan)
At least it now only kicks off once or twice a week, not a few times daily as the Hero. To be honest, I am now sick, tired and very busy and am not sure if I have the willpower to pursue this further.
Meteor deserves a lesson – I hope many Hero owners aggressively pursue an upgrade to legend. It is also a beautiful device and Meteor needs to understand that they are not larger than their customers.
@CitKane: Well, eventually they will have to solve the issue. But certainly is nothing wrong with the phone. You can try to change the provider and find a way to unlock the phone. I think here in Dublin, those with 3 (the network) and with unlocked Hero’s haven’t got any issues.
htc hero had ASDA pAYG sim no problem now on O2 simplicity happens about 3 times aweek “no sim” message some times switching airplane mode on then off sorts it other times takes several off ons driving me mad surely some one has a solution
@mart: Yep, still happens to me but less frequently. I think it’s something that everyone will have to cope with it for the moment if you are on meteor.ie
However read Traverse comment for a good explanaition why it might be happening.
mine is a virgin sim, i can use the internet but no calls are text, i got phone off car booty so cannot return..i have this problem too, i have tried card in sim but no luck, any one help….
Hi Guys just read all your comments, iv’e had the same problem on 2 Hero handsets, retuned one got a new one same problem. Supplied by BT Anywhere Broadband and Vodafone network. The problems started after the new software upgrade from HTC, the network settings now won’t let you control between 2G and 3G itjust has it’s own default. Before the upgrade it was perfect, now it’s an tennis game of who does what between BT and HTC!