2G or not 2G? That is the question.

[#1]

Another possible origin of RWG is simply that NOW offered their service to resellers - it's a way of expanding coverage indirectly.

In the 1990s there were a number of small ISPs that resold other ISP's services - I used to use an Amiga oriented ISP called Wirenet. That was run by just one guy (who I happened to know) reselling another ISP's services (I cant remember which but quite possibly Demon).

[#2]

Seems the failure of the RWG/Now Mobile balance enquiry USSD code (*669#) to now work may be due to the implementation of VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling:

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/threads/rwg-mobile.42865/page-9

[#3]

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/threads/rwgmobile-teaser-bundle-100-mins-100-sms-750mb-data-%C2%A32...

"It's cheap, it works, don't expect too much." 😃

After 20 solid years on my old Tesco Mobile 2G Nokia 1100, what with all these mobile phone/3G etc. changes, I'm only just discovering this whole SIM subculture!

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/forums/phone-providers-landline-mobile-voip.112/page-4

[#4]

So how's it going with RWG/Now? Seems to be going OK (mostly).

RWG website site still up and the automated systems still running.

Can still order PAYG SIMS and PAYG top ups online.
Can still register for an RWG online account.
Can still log on to account and see top up orders.
RWG/Now SIM in phone still working as advertised!

OK the *669# - Balance enquiry code no longer works.
But 669 - Top up and enquiries (via Now) does - balance enquiry from here.
Secondary 121 - Voicemail number now replies "Sorry, your number is barred"
But primary 269 - Voicemal number still works fine.

Email online support from RWG? Forget about it! But you can get support from Now Mobile, they seem quite helpful.

Well, I have now requested, via the RWG site, my old Plusnet Mobile number be ported to RWG! 🤣

As amusingly reported on ISPReview, "Tim" helpfully replied to my request by email. That is...

Tîm Cymorth (Welsh: Support Team)

😁

[#5]

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@pvmb wrote:

...But you can get support from Now Mobile, they seem quite helpful.

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You are also able to create a Now account and manage all your RWG/Now numbers within one account. There is also an app' available for smartphone users, but perhaps you have done this already?

[#6]

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@Xanadu_2 wrote:

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You are also able to create a Now account and manage all your RWG/Now numbers within one account. There is also an app' available for smartphone users, but perhaps you have done this already?

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I didn't know that. The email from Now support, about porting in my old number, said I should use the RWG site to request the port. I have received confirmation emails from RWG, but of course these are just auto-generated. Being on board RWG mobile feels a bit like being aboard the Marie Celeste! Have to see how it goes. They also said I can get support wrt RWG via live chat on the Now website. 

An 'app', do you say? I try to have have nothing to do wi' these devilish moderne inventions. 😃

Besides there ain't no 'app' for a Nokia 'TA-1010' (Nokia 105)!
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Original-TA-1010-2G-GSM-Non_1601404976408.html

Still less for my original Nokia 1100.

I see from the ISPreview website that some RWG users are complaining of losing their one off RWG 'lifetime' SIM allowances. I guess Now are finally putting an end to that! Meanwhile, some RWG users with ongoing payment SIMs have reported their data allowance has mysteriously DOUBLED. If Now are continuing supporting the RWG brand - which they seem to be at present - I presume they are going to be sorting out how the RWG tariffs align with their Now brand.

[#7]

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@pvmb wrote:

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I see from the ISPreview website that some RWG users are complaining of losing their one off RWG 'lifetime' SIM allowances. I guess Now are finally putting an end to that! Meanwhile, some RWG users with ongoing payment SIMs have reported their data allowance has mysteriously DOUBLED. If Now are continuing supporting the RWG brand - which they seem to be at present - I presume they are going to be sorting out how the RWG tariffs align with their Now brand.

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@pvmb 

For about 18 months I had my primary mobile number on one of those RWG '£15 Free Lifetime' plans as being a light user the allowances covered my usage, but I gave up with it after waiting ages for the "coming soon" WiFi calling which didn't materialise (at least not for those plans).

I still have a secondary number on their '£5 Free Lifetime' plan which I keep alive by making the necessary call or text from periodically.

Over the past few months texting the code 'Info ukrwg0' for that plan to 669 to find out my remaining 'free' allowance hasn't worked but today it did.

AFAIR calling 669 to hear my remaining balance (£5) seems to have always worked, which is followed by some keypad input menu options.

*669# hasn't worked for a while.

[#8]

@RobPN 

You may already know this but, on 23 March, the RWG website was updated to announce the arrival of VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling "for both new and existing customers" :

 WiFi calling and VoLTE now enabled (rwgmobile.wales)

[#9]

@pvmb 

Thanks, and I think I read that somewhere, probably earlier in this thread, but last time (well over a year ago) I enquired with RWG I was informed that it wasn't available for the 'Lifetime Free' plans.

I don't think I'll enquire again as it seems too much bother in the law of diminishing returns scheme of things with RWG.

[#10]

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@pvmb wrote:

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I see from the ISPreview website that some RWG users are complaining of losing their one off RWG 'lifetime' SIM allowances.

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They seem to have a cutoff point of five years from the date people joined. My one ends in August 2027.

[#11]

Got up very late this morning, the alarm didn't go off. The 'alarm' currently being my Nokia 'burner' phone with the RWG SIM in it. 😊

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When I turned it on to check, the time was totally wrong and the date was three days out! I've had it turned off for a couple of days (pending number port to RWG?) and also had the battery out for some time - forgot to adjust for this last night.

This all reminded me that it doesn't update it's clock from the network, even though I have set it to do so. Do other users of the Now network here have this same issue with no time updates, or is it just this phone? My old Nokia 1100 on the Tesco Mobile network always updated at clock change and boot up.

TIA

[#12]

@pvmb 

I just checked my 'secondary phone' (Galaxy S7, normally powered off) on RWG and the time and date were correct, so it must be receiving time updates as the clocks 'sprang' forward an hour recently.

[#13]

OK, thanks @RobPN . Might be something to do with mine being on 2G? Otherwise, it's the phone.

If I ever get around to unlocking my Nokia 1100 I will get a chance to find out.

[#14]

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@pvmb wrote:

Do other users of the Now network here have this same issue with no time updates, or is it just this phone?

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My Nokia 216 has the same issue. I have to adjust it manually every time the clocks go forward / back.

[#15]

The port of my old Nokia 1100's Tesco Mobile number to the new RWG SIM has failed.

Applied at RWG for port, got auto emails but nothing since (unsurprisingly). Applied today via Now chat and they said "PAC has expired. Apply to provider for new one."

Strange, PAC dates from 19 March via Tesco Mobile Chat where I asked and was given a "another one" (But...) that "lasts for 30 days". Been on to Tesco Mobile and they say no go, as that account is now closed. How could this have happened? Well, I was sent a PAC by Tesco to old phone as system was being closed down.

I just took battery out of 'burner' phone and put it back into old Nokia 1100. I received a PAC by Text from Tesco that must be used before "31 March". It was the very same PAC I got when I was given "another one, valid for 30 days" by Chat on 19th March!

Oh well...