Hi folks. I'm new to Vodafone and I have a serious problem which I've been struggling to sort out. It's becoming frustrating to try and solve so my final option is to try the forums.
I recently moved from Three. I had no problems with Three and I enjoyed being on their PAYG. However I've been looking for a new job, most likely going to be London based, so I decided that I would like to change from PAYG to a Sim only contract as I would be able to afford funding it and I'd get some extra bonuses. I personally didn't like what Three had to offer so I decided to move to a different network. I had a look around and I liked what Vodafone had to offer, so I decided to try out a Vodafone PAYG Sim to see if I had issues and if the service was good before considering to go for a Sim only contract.
I don't have a Vodafone store local to me and I knew I had to go shopping at some point so I picked up a Sim from Tesco. As soon as I got home, I put the Sim in my phone, created my Vodafone account, topped it up (got a big ten pound bundle), and went to try it.
I tried texting and calling, had no problem. Tried to connect to the internet, I couldn't connect. This is when the hassle started.
I opened my browser and I couldn't open the webpage. I went on to the My Vodafone app in case something needed to be configured on that, couldn't open that either since I needed a data connection. On the top of my phone there was a notification saying "Unable to Establish a Wireless Data Connection. Cause: SERVICE_OPTION_NOT_SUBSCRIBED" .
The first thing I did was go on to chat support. I thought that maybe there was something up with my account. My account was checked, everything was perfect. So I ruled out my account being the issue. I was then directed to the APN settings (my phone doesn't support the update via text so I had to do it manually). I tried the official PAYG APN, didn't work, I was then told to create a new APN and follow the directions of the chat support agent (I did this both on my current phone and my old phone, more on that later), that also didn't work. The final option was to try do discover whether or not the issue was to do with the sim or my phone.
Now I have two phones. My current, a BlackBerry KEYone (an android) and my backup, an iPhone 5S (both purchased unlocked). Now since both are supported on Vodafone I couldn't see how it could be a problem with my device. I tried the Sim on my BlackBerry, where I first encountered the problem, and then on my iPhone. Now both phones showed that they was connecting to the network (on my android, next to the signal bar, the symbol showing what connection I had was faded grey instead of the usual white), but Internet access just wasn't possible. Even after trying it on my old iPhone and setting up the APN via the text update (which is supported on that phone) I still couldn't connect.
I concluded that it was a fault with the sim. I was heading to London the following day and there was a Vodafone store local to where I was headed. I went in, spoke to one of the employees there, explained the problem, got a new sim. Thought it would be the end of my problems. But...
After heading home, putting the new sim in, I still had the problem. Tried it on my BlackBerry and my iPhone. Now since I couldn't connect at home or in London (when I still had my old sim), I concluded that the issue wasn't to do with location.
At this stage I have no idea what to do. I've tried my account, I've tried APN settings, I tried switching devices, I tried a replacement sim, I tried chat support, and nothing has worked!
Anyone have any idea as to what the hell the problem is? Sorry for the long post but I added the extra detail in case it somehow helps in pointing out the root cause of the problem.
I thank you for any help that can be provided. I'd hate to leave Vodafone so soon before being able to give it a proper chance.
