Help Setting Up Nokia E71 with Fonic for Data

[enfield]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Lidl mobile is actually a derivate from Fonic. It's based on the same billing platform and there are a lot of similarities except for the data tariffs.
You could try activating the SIM through FONIC's website instead of Lidl's. Perhaps the SIMs are generic and get tied to a tariff only by activation.

Thanks for the reply. This card is already activated. The seller sent me instructions. One of the things he says is and I quote:

To top your card up, most gas stations in Germany can top it up. Use "fonic" as provider. You also can buy top up vouchers at the German grocery stores. Choose "LIDL-Mobile" as your provider.

Sounds like I can top it off with "Fonic" vouchers too.... I will post the reply from the seller once I get it.

[inquisitor]

I expect he's right with Fonic vouchers working for Lidl SIMs (and vice versa), as both use the same billing system. The same applies for O2 and Tchibo whose vouchers are interchangeable due to the common billing platform. But you can't use O2 and Tchibo vouchers for Fonic and Lidl SIMs or vice versa.

[enfield]

Thank you inquisitor. You are right - as usual based on what I have read in your posts.

Lidl-Mobile have a contract with Fonic. One gets the Euro 40 cap with Lidl-Mobile but no data options.

It's a shame I got the wrong SIM card. I wanted to have an activated SIM card so that I would not have to call the 0800 number to activate - I am not planning on taking my laptop and only take my unlocked iPhone.

Silly question - when I get a top-up card do I call the number as in use the phone or text it? I know that there is a number starting with * and ending with # followed by the top-up card number. So - call or text?

Thanks for being such a wonderful resource inquisitor!!

[inquisitor]

You need to enter those so-called USSD-codes and pick up as if you would call a phone number. Then, however, you won't get connected but a message will appear in your display either returning your current credit or confirming your recharge.

check credit: *101# [pick up]
top up credit: *103*top up code# [pick up]

[lizzie1955]

Enfield, Sounds like you and I dealt with the same eBay seller. He has now updated his listings to show photo of the Lidl card too.

I sent him back the Lidl card and he has already processed my refund.

[enfield]

Originally Posted by lizzie1955

Enfield, Sounds like you and I dealt with the same eBay seller. He has now updated his listings to show photo of the Lidl card too.

I sent him back the Lidl card and he has already processed my refund.

Yeah - sounds like it. I am off in a couple of days and hence I will have to pick up at FONIC SIM in Frankfurt. Not a big problem I guess. The tricky part will be calling the 0800 number to activate the card! I don't plan on taking my laptop. I may use the LIDL-MOBILE card to activate my FONIC card on line using my iPhone - I am not bothering to return the LIDL card. I just gave him a poor rating on eBay for sending me the wrong card. When I ordered there was only FONIC as the sole option.

I was looking at the LIDL site and it turns out that they have a 2 for 1 special. I think that is why he decided to got to LIDL to maximize profit

[inquisitor]

I think the smallprint next to the chip is rather some technical information and may indicate, that the SIM uses the HLR of Fonic or is issued by Fonic GmbH (GmbH = German limited company).
Lidl is not only technically based on Fonic, but also in legal terms the service is run by Fonic (just check Lidl's imprint: FONIC -- Impressum). "Lidl" is just the brand for the new tariff.