2017 Piranha Mobile Sim Card 2017 thread

[bourbonkiller]

I've requested a new simcard yesterday. Has anyone heard back from them after the request?

I am quite curious to know about the new platform they are changing to with direct dial. Any rumors or thoughts about that?

BK

PS: I've played around and tested a koko-mobile simcard for the last weeks. That is also a very pleasing service with data-packages worldwide...

[Bossman]

I requested a new SIM on Saturday. No, there is no response from them yet.

Originally Posted by bourbonkiller

I've requested a new simcard yesterday. Has anyone heard back from them after the request?

[GadgetKen]

Originally Posted by bourbonkiller

I've requested a new simcard yesterday. Has anyone heard back from them after the request?

I am quite curious to know about the new platform they are changing to with direct dial. Any rumors or thoughts about that?

BK

PS: I've played around and tested a koko-mobile simcard for the last weeks. That is also a very pleasing service with data-packages worldwide...

I'm getting suspicious about Piranha. It has been a week since I ordered and there was no response other than an auto-response email they received my request. Nor is there any sim order pending on their website. Also they do not allow new customers to buy a sim card (error on click through). And no rates are posted for the new card. Plus a trouble ticket I posted 2 weeks earlier was never responded to (I managed to get the sim working again by toggling the roaming profile back and forth, but that only worked a few days until it went totally dead).

I have an upcoming trip to Bermuda in June, so I think I may order the KoKo Mobile card that you suggested. Rates are good in the US (I'm hoping it will work on T-Mobile as an alternate to my local H2O sim card that works on AT&T), plus the rates are reasonable in Canada and Bermuda(I'm coming back to the US via Toronto). Plus the CHF to USD exchange rate is reasonable so refills should not be a problem. Since KoKo is working for you, it's obviously not using Telna as the back-end. Have other options including VOIP, mifi data devices, and a satphone, but I want like a low-tech callback sim in the second sim slot of my phone for reliable voice and text messaging.

On the possibility of Piranha using direct dial, that would be a plus rather than having a callback and sometimes having to use a USSD dialing string. But there's the question of coverage and rates when they move to the new platform. But since no one is hearing anything from Piranha right now, I think I'll order the KoKo sim....

[Bossman]

Same here...just the auto response. At least they are offering new sim cards. so it seems like they have something going. However, I will not be surprised one bit, if they do not come back from this. Once that VOIP feature stopped working, and the indication from them was that, that's the end of that feature, I started thinking the same myself. It's no news that the elimination of roaming within the EU affected them (and all other similar offerings) to a large extent. Most major US carriers are offering some kind of roaming package. Probably the same in other countries. So, the need for these international sim cards is just NOT there any longer.

Originally Posted by GadgetKen

I'm getting suspicious about Piranha. It has been a week since I ordered and there was no response other than an auto-response email they received my request.

[GadgetKen]

Originally Posted by Bossman

Same here...just the auto response. At least they are offering new sim cards. so it seems like they have something going. However, I will not be surprised one bit, if they do not come back from this. Once that VOIP feature stopped working, and the indication from them was that, that's the end of that feature, I started thinking the same myself. It's no news that the elimination of roaming within the EU affected them (and all other similar offerings) to a large extent. Most major US carriers are offering some kind of roaming package. Probably the same in other countries. So, the need for these international sim cards is just NOT there any longer.

Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if Piranha just vanishes on us...of course they are most welcome to comment on this forum to dispute that and elaborate on what is going on with Piranha. Fortunately had only a minimal balance on each of the two sim cards we have (10 pounds on mine and 15 pounds on my fathers), so if they disappear it's not a big loss.

International sim cards still have some value to some people like myself who need coverage when traveling. For day to day light domestic talk/text usage I use prepaid AT&T H2O at a nickel a minute or text message. Data is via one of 3 mifi devices. Postpaid is used for one of the 3 mifi devices that has a $20/month AT&T unlimited data plan on it. Thought of going to something like Mint Sim but T-Mobile doesn't have coverage everywhere I need it and pay as you go suits me better than a monthly prepaid or postpaid plan (but Mint Sim does have some decent international/domestic rates and they have some $5 starter kits now...I seriously considered that as a Piranha replacement). But yes, I'm seeing a recurring theme here on international sim cards that go into existence and then vanish a few months or years later (I'm developing a collection of them).

[bones_boy]

Originally Posted by GadgetKen

But yes, I'm seeing a recurring theme here on international sim cards that go into existence and then vanish a few months or years later (I'm developing a collection of them).

Hop Mobile, Globe, Celtrek, GT-Sim, O9 Mobile, Riiing!, United Mobile

Yeah it’s recurring.

Only ones I use that have stuck around are Truphone and Mobal.

[GadgetKen]

Koko mobile card came in the mail today. No sign of new Piranha card. Will take old Piranha card out tonight, put in Koko and activate it and add some CHF.

[GadgetKen]

I took a few minutes and put the Koko Mobile card in the second sim slot of my phone instead of the Piranaha sim.

Activation online initially showed an activation error, but the fault apparently fixed itself (got welcome to USA message on the phone a few minutes later, so it obviously was working). Added CHF20 to my account online and made a successful test call on AT&T in 4G mode on my phone. Call quality was very good and it went through as a direct dial call. Background carrier for sim card in USA is apparently JT (Jersey Telecom) in the UK Channel Islands (it comes with one UK number you can choose from a list)...not sure if that changes if one of the other roaming profiles for the sim card is used. Didn't set up data yet for the sim chip yet, and probably will normally keep that off since my mifi devices have cheaper rates. Will also have to set up voicemail, decide if I want a second phone number and add additional credit for my upcoming trip.

Bottom line is I now have a functional international roaming sim in the second slot of my phone (the first slot is a USA only prepaid sim).

Glad I didn't wait for Piranha to ship a new sim card. When and if Piranha ships new cards, I'll keep my replacement card as a spare, and put the other sim card in my father's spare phone he keeps as a backup.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by Bossman

Once that VOIP feature stopped working, and the indication from them was that, that's the end of that feature, I started thinking the same myself.

When did the VOIP disappear??

[Bossman]

It last worked for me about 4 months ago or so. The funny thing is, Piranha was aware of this but they never warned or informed their customers about it. Only when you contact them, will you find out what the deal is.

Originally Posted by rfranzq

When did the VOIP disappear??