WEIRD SMS MESSAGES FROM VODAFONE

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'm getting some weird SMS text messages from Vodafone whilst my SIM card is inserted into my car navigation system (Porsche PCM 3.1 with software version v4.52).

The message clearly states that its from Vodafone and inbetween most of the gibberish, there is mention of a Vodafone 'VoWiFi'

Does anyone know what this is, and how to stop it?

Thanks in advance

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi

Certainly seems to be a compatibility issue. 

A recent thread around a person getting a ' it seems you've changed your sim card in your phone' type message whilst inserted in a car system looks like a compatibility issue too. 

[Anonymous]

OK, and is there any way to stop that? It seems to happen every now and then, it doesnt follow any particular pattern. It usually happens in the evening though.

[BandOfBrothers]

Not sure. 

This is the thread I mentioned. 

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Android/Annoying-spam-messages-from-VODAFONE/m-p/2550133#M134539

[Tash]

@Anonymous Hi, did the thread sent by @BandOfBrothers help with this?

[Anonymous]

Hi Natasha,

Whilst that link is concerning a similar problem, its not really the same at all. His issue is with Vodafone recognising a new IMEI on the network and sending a text with the words to the effect of him using a new phone, whereas I'm not getting that sort of message. The text I get is like that shown in the photo, and its coming from Vodafone's network. If anything it mentions the word 'VoWiFi' (i presume this is voice over wifi).

So really this is an issue for Vodafone to investigate;

1) What is this message? What is it related to? (I don't have voWiFi but I do have 'sure signal', but that is essentially a small 3G mast connected to my router via Ethernet and isn't related to WiFi at all). I get this message about once a day.

2) Find a way to somehow disable it.

I wanted to go through the forums first as its easier to explain with a photo of the text message,. rather than trying to explain it over the phone.

Can you, the vodafone tech team, please investigate this. I am on a business account.

Thanks

Sunny

[Jenny]

@Anonymous – So we can help further, please let us know the following:

• Does this message only come through when you insert the SIM into your car navigation system?
• Do you get this message if you insert the SIM into your car navigation system when away from the home (when not connected to the Sure Signal)?
• Do you get this message every time you insert the SIM into your car navigation system, or just occasionally?
• How long has this message been coming through?

[Anonymous]

Hi Jenny,

Firstly a little more detail on my set up. I used the 'insert SIM into navigation system' loosely as in reality its connected via bluetooth via the rSAP (remote Sim Access) profile. However this is identical to putting the sim card directly into the car (which I have tried a couple of weeks ago when my phone went for repair and yes I get the same message), and there is no MAP (message access) profile connection to the handset whilst the car is connected in rSAP mode. The car's IMEI will be visible to the network rather than my smartphones IMEI when connected in rSAP mode. All SMS messages received whilst the phone is connected to the car via rSAP get stored on the sim card and stay there until I manually go into messages settings on my smartphone and copy them to my smartphone's memory later on.

The car: 2014 Porsche Cayman S (981) with PCM 3.1 and 'Telephone module' (this includes 3 operational modes: 1. SIM card inserted directly into the system, 2. SIM card accessed via bluetooth via the rSAP profile, 3. 'regular' HFP with MAP which is what most cars use).

The phone: Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-G930F with the latest software (Android 6.0.1) with baseband G930FXXU1BPK6)

In answer to your questions;

1) Yes, I only get this message when i've either put my sim card directly into the system or I am connected via the rSAP bluetooth profile. This does not occur when I'm using the HFP profile (as of course the phone is handling all the text messages in the HFP mode). Of course I would like to continue using the rSAP mode as it uses an external antenna and provides a much greater signal strength to that of using the HFP profile that uses the smartphone's antenna whilst its in my pocket!

2) I have only received these messages when quite far away from my home, at least a couple of miles away.

3) It happens occasionally. Its slowed down a bit now but I get them once every 2 or 3 days.

4) Since I bought my car, which was at the start of this month.

Another interesting point to note is that when I do get this magical message and then go into my SIM card messages later on, I can see that there is a message from 'Vodafone' but it appears blank when viewed on my smartphone. When I select the message and move it to my phone's memory, it doesnt appear in my smartphone's message list. Its almost like the phone automatically deletes it if it gets it into its phone memory.

Just a thought here... I remember going back about 15-20 years that I was on the Orange network at the time, and whenever I'd change something with customer services they'd send out a 'sim update' message that I was supposed to open and then delete and restart my phone. Could it be that these messages are something similar?

Thanks for your help on this, I greatly appreciate your support.

Thanks

Sunny

[Jenny]

@Anonymous - Thanks for getting back with so much info.

It certainly sounds and looks like the same kind of message that’s sent when there’s a change in device (like moving your SIM to another phone) and new settings are installed.

Do you have any problems using the phone after receiving the text or is everything working normally?

Are there any further options (such as ‘install settings’ as mentioned above) if you click on the ‘Option’ tab or ‘Complete text’ button that I can see in the screenshot you posted?

[Jayhey]

VO WIFI is Wifi Calling - call and activate it on your account - you probably don't have it activated as you use SureSignal at home by default which was Vodafone second attempt at Wifi Calling after UMA - which was installed for BT Mobile as a V MVNO years ago and no activation on Voda end was required.

S7 is Wifi Calling capable, meaning away from home you can connect to V network where no signal. Handy if you break down and can access for example BT Wifi/Sky Wifi etc as a current broadband customer.

I assume the Porsche modem is Wifi Calling capable also possibly if the network is recognising such as with sim actually in Porsche or via Bluetooth, the car may not be able to read the possible http link Voda are sending you.

Activate Wifi Calling on account, they text you when complete, unplug Sure Signal, make call over Wifi Calling. Reinstate SS. Delete any Porsche app and reinstall after the above as this may cause conflict.

You may just be unfortunate that getting near home Vodafone sees this on the network and messages you "we know you are near home and a SS user but try Wifi Calling to connect anywhere there is Wifi@ and you are in the car at the time the texts come linked to Porsche or sim in ICE.

The texts I got had a link to WC webpage or my account to activate it. I use a i6S so Voda text me repeatedly but Wifi Calling is barred to 'standard' 30 day sims - it was only after customer service tried to activate WC and their system said price plan not valid did the texts stop coming.