Question: Is my FIDO 2G SIM Card really getting me 3-3.5G Speeds?!

[Wizard1]

This is NOT an april fools post. You can request any reasonable form of proof from me regarding anything below:

I have basically been using the same Fido sim card since the late 90s. I recently bought a Rogers Nokia X7 (from hitek0007) and unlocked it. Previously I was using a Nokia E71-1 and was stuck with EDGE data speeds the past few years (since the phone didn't support North America 3G Bands). After doing a bit of research I confirmed my suspicions that my SIM Card was indeed 2G

Fido 2G sim card begins 8930237010-XXXXX-XXXXX
Fido 3G sim card begins 8930237020-XXXXX-XXXXX

I also called FIDO and they did a few system tests and confirmed with me as well that I had a 2G sim card. Of course now that I have a North American phone I want to maximize the use of my 6G data plan. Fido wanted to charge me $10 for a 3G sim card and I said no thanks, and bought a 3G SIM on ebay for $5 shipped.

I have't received the card yet, however I see that my phone keeps on displaying that I'm on either a 3G or 3.5G data connection. So I decided to do speed tests on my data speeds and it seems im getting 3-3.5G speeds consistently.

On Mobilespeedtest.com's 5 and 7MB speed tests I get:
2333.333 Kbps Speeds with 0.319 Latency. Transferred 7000 KB in 24 Seconds

On my native Nokia X7 "Speed Meter" app (set on a Toronto Server) I get:
3.95mbps download speed, 0.30mbps upload speed with 238ms Ping.

This puts me just under 4G speeds....I've downloaded quite a few mp3s directly onto my phone and get similar timings/speeds.

So it seems that even though I have a 2G Fido sim card I am still getting 3-3.5G speeds. That being said is there any point in using the 3G Fido Sim that I just bought (would I basically get the same speeds)? Or should I just sell it / keep it as a backup?

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/Wizard1Canada/mobilespeedtest.jpghttp://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/Wizard1Canada/nativespeedtest.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/Wizard1Canada/mobilespeedtest2.jpg

[wilsonlam97]

It's just a sim card. They all follow the GSM standard so it would make sense that the card allows you to connect to the 3G network.

[Wizard1]

It's just a sim card. They all follow the GSM standard so it would make sense that the card allows you to connect to the 3G network.

I was under the impression 2G cards only supported GPRS and EDGE data packets, and that if I wanted to experience 3G+ speeds I'd have to get a SIM Card that supported those network packets

[cyphon21]

I was under the impression 2G cards only supported GPRS and EDGE data packets, and that if I wanted to experience 3G+ speeds I'd have to get a SIM Card that supported those network packets

Looks like saving that $5 end up costing you $5 :D.

[Wizard1]

Looks like saving that $5 end up costing you $5 :D.

LOL I guess..... then again I could always sell it locally for more ;)

[Wizard1]

I was under the impression 2G cards only supported GPRS and EDGE data packets, and that if I wanted to experience 3G+ speeds I'd have to get a SIM Card that supported those network packets

Anyone know if this is true?

Thanks

[darkman007e]

2G simcard seems to be case by case. Some report no issues. Other report drop calls and missed calls and it could be only after weeks or year since they switch to a 3G phone. Seems also to depend on the phone.

Like with the Samsung Jack it seemed the simcard had more impact then some other smartphone.

Also some phone mostly LG will be unusable with a 2G sim (the phone will keep asking for somekind of sim lock or simpin).