Piranha Mobile Sim Card

[kctopitz]

I've been using a Piranha SIM for the past month in the US, and thus far I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone. On paper it's a great product. In reality, it seems that they have some serious bugs that need ironing out.

Some experiences:

- Within the first few days, I noticed I was not receiving text messages being sent to my Google Voice number (i.e. I saw them online at Google Voice, but they were not being forwarded). With further testing I discovered that it had nothing to do with Google Voice, and direct phone-to-phone text messages were not going through to my device. I contacted Piranha online and the problem was quickly resolved.

- A couple weeks ago on a road-trip to Chicago, my phone service stopped working completely. No reception at all. I was able to see T-Mobile's service (Piranha's US provider) when I did a manual service search, but was unable to connect. Despite restarting my phone and reinserting the SIM numerous times, nothing helped and service was unavailable for hours - even in areas I had used Piranha and T-Mobile before. I tried an actual T-Mobile SIM in my phone just to make sure it wasn't a T-Mobile outage. The problem was clearly on Piranha's end. I contacted Piranha online and the problem was quickly resolved (confirming my suspicion that it was a problem on their end). In my email I asked to speak with a supervisor, as not having service for such a long period is a serious fault. I received an email suggesting this was to do with T-Mobile's 3G bands and an incompatibility with my device - which it wasn't (I was using GSM and have used T-Mobile's GSM for years). Despite asking again, I've still received no explanation as to why I had no service for hours on end, nor any assurance that it won't ever happen again.

- Once your balance goes below 3 pounds (remember it's a UK service), you receive a low balance SMS after EVERY call or SMS sent that reduces your balance further. Highly annoying. I've just contacted them asking for this to be disabled or at least reduced so that only one such notification is sent out per day at maximum.

- On the plus side, they do allow you to change your outgoing caller ID info to another number. To do this simply contact customer service through their website. I changed my outgoing CID to my Google Voice number, and this plus the free incoming SMS (an unusual feature in the US market) make this ideal for using with Google Voice.

So, if they can just fix the first 3 problems I'll continue using them. As it is now, if you're considering a Piranha SIM, I'd hold off if you can to see how things pan out. I'll definitely report back here if things get better or worse.

[Stu]

For the record, Acrobits and Groundwire are similar offerings from the same company. For $3 more, Acrobits offers a few extra features. I decided to be the "big spender."

[davidtheprof]

Going to be in Canada later this week, and saw a Piranha warning re frequencies.
I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S2 (home is TMobile US network), phone specs are:
Networks Quad-band GSM world phone(850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
Data GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA/UMTS

I've used the phone before without problem in Canada for phone and data using native TMob sim card and also using Truphone. But if Piranha only works with Bell in Canada,
AWS 3G 1700Mhz/2100Mhz, is that a problem?
thanks for any help...

(also posted this on the Piranha FAQ board, but no response today!)

[davidtheprof]

so here is there response, apparently using Telus/Rogers again...

"we use Bell and Telus networks in Canada, you should have no issue using your handset for Data on either network. There is no price difference in networks. For best results please make sure your handset is set to Automatic search." Piranha Admin

[Stu]

I thought that the TMO's version supported 1900mhz HSPA as well.

Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II - Full phone specifications

My concern would be that you probably don't have 850mhz HSPA and could have spotty coverage.

[VladS]

The UK numbering range used by Piranha is assigned to Telecom North America (Telna). Does anyone know what the relationship is between Piranha and Telna?

Do they share the same platform and do they experience similar reliability issues as Telna did (or still does)?!

[fsotirop]

Originally Posted by VladS

The UK numbering range used by Piranha is assigned to Telecom North America (Telna). Does anyone know what the relationship is between Piranha and Telna?

Do they share the same platform and do they experience similar reliability issues as Telna did (or still does)?!

same product but i think piranha uses another telephone routing platform.

[gkeeper]

Originally Posted by VladS

The UK numbering range used by Piranha is assigned to Telecom North America (Telna). Does anyone know what the relationship is between Piranha and Telna?

Do they share the same platform and do they experience similar reliability issues as Telna did (or still does)?!

Hi I do not know all the answers to your questions, but I have used Piranha for around 4/5 months now and I have had no major issues with service on GSM or VoIP. I did try XxSim on my last trip, but that's another story.

[rfranzq]

It has an expiration of 420 DAYS!

And somehow a minimum balance of £1.00 is involved also.

They answered my question:

What is the 'minimum threshold' mentioned in section 15.2 of your T & C?
£1.00 after 420 days of non-use.

[PSIM]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

It has an expiration of 420 DAYS!

And somehow a minimum balance of £1.00 is involved also.

They answered my question:

Sir, When posting information, please insure that you read the full terms and conditions and post the correct information, this is for the benefit of all.
The Piranha Sim only expires after 420 days of non use and only after the customer has been given 14 days written notice, if one call or SMS is made during this time the 420 day cycle starts again. Piranha expect the customer to maintain a balance of no less than £1.00 at all times. The information posted would suggest the card expires after 420 days regardless of usage.