German Fonic questions...

[inquisitor]

Try dialing 9 (for Maibox Einstellung/configuration) and then select 5 (Sprachwahl/language selection) in the voice menu. That's at least how you do it works for contract subscribers on o2.

[um98]

This is a really helpful thread. A few details that would be great follow. Thanks in advance for the help.

Anyone with recent experience on how many days after activation the mail from Fonic shows up? Was thinking to time the activation with my hotel arrival so they do not refuse it and the sim would get locked.

Is the €5 bonus promotion still valid? Is there a limit to how many "friends" you can have in a month?

[Knighta]

Hello everyone,
I wonder if anyone knows how to fix my problem? I'm in Germany and have a prepaid FONIC sim. It was working fine until I texted a UK number...after that I got an SMS from Fonic saying I had to call their customer service, followed by another SMS that was blank.
Same thing happened to my boyfriend when he texted a UK number.
Now neither of our phones work. Can't text, can't call - useless. It seems the SIMs have been locked or something.
I called customer service from a landline (since my phone isn't working - even to call fonic) and asked if anyone could speak English (my German is pretty basic)...the woman said no but that I'd be called back. I haven't been called back and I'm now stuck with no phone and no way to fix it.
I've still got over 9 euros of credit. I've got a 'my fonic' online account management thing, but there's nothing there about what the problem is.
Suggestions would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!

[inquisitor]

Do you happen to have activated your Fonic SIM card with an invalid address? In spring Fonic started sending out confirmation letters shortly after activation. If the letter is undeliverable and thus being returned Fonic will temporarily disable SIM cards until a valid address has been provided.
If this is the case there should be a message on the customer portal saying:
SIM Kartenstatus: "nur erreichbar"
In order to unblock your SIM card call Fonic customer care at 01805-880488, explain them that you are a visitor and give them your current accomodation's address. They won't send out another confirmation letter but unblock your SIM card within minutes.

[Knighta]

a-ha! Thank you, that sounds EXACTLY like what has happened. I used the address of the flat we're staying in for 3 months, but we don't have a key for the mailbox so wouldn't have got the confirmation letter. I'll try calling them again and hopefully can sort it out. Thanks again for the quick response.

[tux]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Do you happen to have activated your Fonic SIM card with an invalid address? In spring Fonic started sending out confirmation letters shortly after activation. If the letter is undeliverable and thus being returned Fonic will temporarily disable SIM cards until a valid address has been provided.
If this is the case there should be a message on the customer portal saying:
SIM Kartenstatus: "nur erreichbar"
In order to unblock your SIM card call Fonic customer care at 01805-880488, explain them that you are a visitor and give them your current accomodation's address. They won't send out another confirmation letter but unblock your SIM card within minutes.

I'm about to buy one Fonic sim from Amazon, but, before buying, I've got a few questions: how many days the delivery of the letter takes? Does that letter contain any important activation info? Can I tell Fonic that I'm a visitor in advance, or do I have to wait until they block my sim?

Thank you.

[inquisitor]

Originally Posted by tux

I'm about to buy one Fonic sim from Amazon, but, before buying, I've got a few questions: how many days the delivery of the letter takes?

Deutsche Post claims letters to arrive in Italy within 2-4 days.

Does that letter contain any important activation info?

The confirmation letter that will be sent out after activation does not contain any relevant information except for confirming your personal data.

Can I tell Fonic that I'm a visitor in advance, or do I have to wait until they block my sim?

No, you can't. The smoothest way is to register the SIM with a hotel's or other accomodation's address where the postman will assume that the recipient is a guest and so will deliver it instead of returning it.

Are you actually aware that Fonic offer a cheaper tariff under the brand of "Lidl"? The only problem is that there are no other resellers besides Lidl supermarkets.

[tux]

Hehe, the problem is that I'll be in an apartment, and I don't think the postman will deliver the letter, or that I'll have the keys of the mailbox.

[123456]

Found this message on Twitter:

We reviewed your account and found that our welcoming letter got returned. If this happens your card automatically gets blocked to prevent your data from abuse. Please send an email with your FONIC number, your current address and first three characters of your password to: facebook.fonic@brand-affairs.de We will then unblock you SIM card as soon as we can!
Best Regards, Johanna / FONIC team

Maybe usefull for somebody?

[Knighta]

Yes, just spoke to FONIC and they're going to unlock my SIM. Thanks very much, inquisitor!