We decided to post this one for posterity, in case we have to get another SIM.
Background: we discovered that SMS sent from one network, let’s call it “O”, to another network, called “T” can sometimes be delayed by up to an hour. Not good during urgent correspondence. We wanted to verify our suspicions so we procured a prepaid SIM from T.
To our chagrin and disgust, networks insist on verifying identity but their systems are such utter garbage that they always return error messages. When we tried to activate a SIM online it kept failing. It asked for driver’s licence or passport credentials but were unable to verify, returning error messages along the lines of “Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again or come back later.”
It’s 2021. Mobile phones are ubiquitous. How can these systems not run like clockwork?
Not only were we stalled by the stupid error screen, the error message was absolutely useless. It did not direct us to where we could find help. It was a dead end. Furthermore, we weren’t given the option to back up a step and resubmit the form, we had to enter in all the information again from scratch.
This identity verification problem also occurred when we tried making an online purchase of a prepaid SIM. Because we were unable, we went to the storefront. Most places have a QR code check in (pandemic), which they had, but we were made to wait for admission by an obnoxiously rude staff member taking his sweet time giving notes to a trainee. That staff member then shuffled off quickly to lunch. The trainee then said that buying a prepaid SIM from them requires us to wait as they activate it for us. The next available staff member was 40 minutes away. WTF?!
We were told SIMs could be purchased from the supermarket and activated online, which we opted for and has brought us here to this post: prepaid SIM activation.
Cue anger and disgust.
The beauty of automated online systems is that it takes out the inept, obnoxious and rude human element – which isn’t necessarily common, but we don’t like tempting fate. Ironically, having been forced to go to the shop we ran into that obnoxious element.
Often we like to consult the forums at Whirlpool where we’ve often found useful suggestions, however, even the forums couldn’t help us navigate the automated system. The system is so flawed that resolutions can only be found by getting involved with customer service. Whether it be waiting for them in store, waiting for them on the phone, or waiting for them using the online chat.
We went with the online chat. Once we joined the queue, it took over an hour for a response. When the operator finally got to work, it took him seconds to activate using exactly the same info we provided the automated system. Thus, the procedure is clearly basic. If only they could make their automated systems work. Come to think of it, as flaky as it is they shouldn’t even bother having one.
Overall
Buy the SIM from the supermarket. Don’t bother with online automated activation, go straight to the online chat and join the cue, watch YouTube until the operator shows up. Minimal aggravation.