You will be receiving a new phone number with your United Global SIM. 

This number will always be a UK based number starting with +44. 

You will receive this number after you have finished activating your new SIM. 

This number will be sent to you in an email and also as a text message to your phone when you insert the Global SIM for the first time.

You can also retrieve this number at any time by doing the following:

1. Insert the Global SIM into your phone 
   
2. Dial *133#  
   
3. Your Global SIM phone number will be displayed on your screen and also sent to you as a text.
   

If you would like to keep your existing number you have the option of setting up a Local Number and forwarding your mobile to it. You can set this up after logging in to your online account.

Want to know more?

How do I get a local number?

How do I forward my calls?

Log in and set up a local number.

We recommend that you activate and test the SIM in your device in before you depart.

When you receive your Global SIM

Insert the SIM in your device and ensure that you are able to complete the test call by dialling *222#. After this step, re-insert your normal SIM until you depart.

This means that if you are experiencing any issues or your handset turns out to be network locked you have plenty of time to unlock the device or contact us for support.

After the SIM has been activated it will be active as long as you keep using the SIM once every 180 days. If you leave the SIM unused for more then 180 days it will automatically deactivate.

You can top-up online, via phone or by setting up auto top-up.

Top up online by logging in to your online account and select add credit. 

To top-up over the phone, call *221# to reach our automatic top-up service.

To set up your account with our automatic top-up service, please log into your account. Once logged in, you will be able to nominate the amount you wish to automatically top up, designate a credit card and set the end date you wish for it to stop. 

Your Global SIM will continue to be active, as long as you do not leave it unused for more than 180 days.

This means that you must use your Global SIM at least once every 180 days to keep the SIM and credit active. 

Calling Australia

Calling an Australian Mobile 0491 570 110

Hold down 0 or * to retrieve +, enter country code and drop the zero

Dial on your Global SIM +61 491 570 110

We have SIM cards that fit most of the phones available on the market.

However, as some foreign networks may run on different frequencies, you need to check whether your phone will be compatible specifically with the countries that you are travelling to (we recommend that you go through this step if you have an older/more basic phone).

In particular please contact the Support team if you are travelling to Japan or United States, as those countries require a newer handset due to their specific frequencies.

Our Global SIM support team is happy to check this for you – please give us a call on 1300 410 130.

Please contact your carrier directly and they will be able to assist you with unlocking your device. You will most likely be asked to provide an IMEI number, which can be obtained by dialing *#06# on your mobile. 

If you are with Telstra, please contact the Telstra Unlocking Centre at 1300 720 179, or call 125 8880 and follow the prompts.

If you are with Optus, please go to https://secure-unlock.com.au/ou/instructions. Customers with iPhone, please call 1300 075 395 and follow the instructions.

If you are with Vodafone, please go to https://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-service.html?method=selectService or call Vodafone Customer Support on 1300 650 410.

Please note that your carrier may charge a fee for unlocking your handset and the unlocking time can vary. It is best to check if your phone is unlocked prior to your departure to avoid issues overseas. 

Yes, once you have set up a local number you can call your carrier to forward your mobile to that number. To forward your calls, you will need to contact your usual local carrier for instructions. There will sometimes be charges associated with setting up mobile call forwarding by your usual local carrier.

For the lowest cost in mobile call forwarding, you have the option of setting up a Local Number and forwarding your mobile to it. You can set this up after logging in to your online account.

Want to know more? 

How do I get a local number? 

Will my Global SIM number be the same as my usual number?

Step 1. To purchase and assign a Local Number to your Global SIM, you should log in to your account.

Step 2. Select the SIM that you wish to purchase a Local Number for. Now select the Local Number tab and choose the Local Number that you want.

Step 3. Select the country that you wish to purchase this Local Number for and then select the type of phone number or it’s region.

Step 4. You will also need to enter the duration you wish to purchase this Local Number for. 

Step 5. You will receive an email confirming your purchase and your new Local Number. Remember to write this phone number down and share it with your friends and family.

Note: This Local Number will be applied immediately and your purchased duration will start from the day of purchase. If you are not departing for some time, you should purchase a Local Number closer to your departure date. 

Want to know more?

Will my Global SIM number be the same as my usual number?

When purchasing a Data Pack you will have the option to apply this Data Pack to a SIM immediately or to receive a voucher code. You can opt to receive a voucher code if you have not received your SIM yet or if you are not travelling within the next few days. 

Once you purchase the data pack you will receive an SMS and/or an email with the voucher details. You should keep your voucher number in a safe place as you can only apply this once. Note that this voucher is non-refundable. 

To apply this voucher: 

Step 1: Log in to your account online

Step 2: In the main account dashboard you will notice a box with your unallocated purchases.

Step 3: Select which type of voucher you have purchased from the options.

Step 4: You can now allocate that voucher to a SIM of your choosing.

Note: If you cannot see your unallocated purchases, please select the SIM that you wish to use your voucher on. You will see a “Data Pack” menu at the top of your ‘My Account’ area. You will then see a tab “Use Voucher”. Select the tab and paste in your Data Pack voucher code. 

To be able to access data on your device, you will first need to save the Global SIM Data Setting and then turn Data Roaming On.

For iPhones

Step 1: Insert your Global SIM

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi

Step 3: Dial *172# and click on the link in the text message that you receive

For all other phones

Step 1: Insert your Global SIM.

Step 2: Dial *172# and click on the link in the text message that you receive 

For tablets and manual set up

iPhones and iPad: 

Settings > cellular/mobile > Cellular/mobile data networks and change the Cellular/mobile APN to: globaldata

Ensure globaldata is written as one word, all lower case. You can leave the username and the password blank.

Android:

To access data on a android phone or tablet you need to manually add an Access Point Name. You can locate this option under the settings > wireless and networks > mobile Networks > access point name

Create a new APN and type the following into the APN settings:

Name: globaldata

APN: globaldata

Username: (blank)

Password: (blank)

Save the new details and ensure they’re selected. 

Note: Regardless of how you have set up your data, you will still need to enable Data Roaming to be able to access the internet on your device

Important: When you do not wish to use data, we recommend that you turn data roaming OFF to avoid being charged for data using features such as emails, Whatsapp, app updates, etc.

When you first receive your Global SIM there is no data available. If you do not set up the data settings on your device, the Global SIM will not be able to access data. 

To switch it ON you will need to follow the instructions and install the settings on your device. 

If you are already using the correct SMS format and the messages are still not going through, please go to your Contacts list and edit the contact manually, changing the number to the full international format by including a +, international code, state code and dropping the first 0. 

Example: Instead of having the contact saved in the national format 604-259-1641 you should change it to +1-604-259-1641

This is a standard format around the world and you will not be required to change it again when you return home. Some smart phones will recognise the number you are trying to text and they will reformat the number and send the message from your contacts automatically.

Note: Some smart phones also keep a record of text messages in one single conversation. This means that because you previously messaged this number in local format, your smart phone will continue to revert the phone number into local format which blocks you from sending international SMS. Note that this issue is common among iPhones and you must follow the steps:

Step 1. Select the person you are messaging and delete the SMS history

Step 2. Make sure they are not saved in your contacts in the local format

Step 3. Make sure they are not saved in your favourite contacts

Step 4. Please ensure that the local format phone number is removed from any part that your smartphone may be picking up the number from

Step 5. Please retry sending the SMS. If issue persists please try deleting this contact altogether and then re-adding them to your contact list in international format. 

If you are experiencing difficulty making calls this may be one of 2 factors.

You may not be dialing correctly or you may be on an unsupported network.

Step 1. You should first check that you are dialing correctly. To call from your Global SIM, you need to call in the full international format. This means you need to call with a + then country code then the number.

If you find that you are dialling correctly but still cannot make a call, try replacing the + with a * and adding a # at the end.

If you are calling an Australian Mobile 0491 570 110, you will be dialing on your Global SIM, +61491 570 110 or *61491 570 110#

Step 2. Try manually selecting a different carrier: 

People calling you on your Global SIM will be charged for a call to the UK. It will vary on the carrier and agreements the person has with their provider. You can also log in online and activate a United Global SIM Local Number service to alleviate these costs. 

A Local Number will allow your friends and family to contact you by using a Local Number instead of your Global SIM phone number. This means that they will be charged at a local rate.

To find out more about Local Numbers please see the Common Questions tab on Local Numbers.

To call you directly from a mobile:

• enter ‘+’ (plus sign)
• then your Global SIM number starting with 44

Example: from any mobile phone dial: + 44 ### ### ####

Note:  the + sign is recognised by all networks in the world as the universal exit code for mobiles instead of dialling a exit code.

Hint: Generally you will find the '+' sign on either the '0' button, or one of the buttons either side of the '0' button, by holding the 0 down it will convert to a + or press the respective button on your phone.

To call you directly from a landline: 

• enter International Exit Code
• then your Global Sim number

Example: from an Australian landline dial: 0011 44 ### ### ####

Hint:  International Exit Codes or International Direct Dialling Codes (IDD) are required to dial internationally out of a country. 

When purchasing a top up you will have the option to apply this credit to a SIM immediately or to receive a voucher code. You can opt to receive a voucher code if you have not received your SIM yet.

Once you purchase the credit you will receive an SMS and/or an email with the voucher details. You should keep your voucher number in a safe place as you can only apply this once. Note that this voucher is non-refundable. 

To apply this voucher: 

Step 1: Log in to your account online 

Step 2: In the main account dashboard you will notice a box with your unallocated purchases.

Step 3: Select which type of voucher you have purchased from the options.

Step 4: You can now allocate that voucher to a SIM of your choosing.

Note: If you cannot see your unallocated purchases, please select the SIM that you wish to use your voucher on. You will see an “Add Credit” menu at the top of your ‘My Account’ area. You will then see a tab “Use Credit Voucher”. Select the tab and paste in your credit voucher code.