All Iridium and Inmarsat services use SIM cards, which can be either prepaid or postpaid (monthly plans). This article explains when and how you can reactivate a SIM card based on its type and status.
Table of Contents
- How New SIM Cards Work
- How to Refill an Expired Prepaid SIM Card
- When a Prepaid SIM Card Cannot Be Reactivated
- When Manual Reactivation May Be Possible
- How to Reactivate a Postpaid SIM Card
- What to Do If Your SIM Does Not Appear
How New SIM Cards Work
New SIM cards behave differently depending on whether they are prepaid or postpaid.
- New prepaid SIM card: A prepaid SIM card that has never been activated must be activated before use. Follow the steps in How To Activate Your SIM Card.
- Postpaid (monthly) SIM card: Postpaid SIM cards are shipped already activated and do not require setup before use.
How to Refill an Expired Prepaid SIM Card
If your prepaid SIM card has run out of minutes or passed its expiration date, it can still be refilled as long as it remains active in your account.
To confirm eligibility, log in to your BlueCosmo account and check under Prepaid Refills.
If the SIM card appears in this section, it can be refilled. Follow the steps in How To Refill A SIM Card.
When a Prepaid SIM Card Cannot Be Reactivated
An Iridium prepaid SIM card that has been inactive for more than 270 days is permanently deactivated.
Once deactivated:
- The SIM card is removed from your account
- The SIM card cannot be reactivated
In this case, you must purchase a new prepaid SIM card.
This 270-day rule applies to Iridium prepaid SIM cards only and does not apply to Inmarsat prepaid SIM cards.
When Manual Reactivation May Be Possible
In rare situations, Customer Care may be able to manually reactivate an Iridium prepaid SIM card that has been inactive for more than 270 days.
This option is only considered when shipping a replacement SIM card is not possible, such as when you are offshore or in a remote location.
Important information:
- Manual reactivation is not guaranteed and is reviewed on a case-by-case basis
- A reactivation fee applies in addition to refill charges
- Your satellite phone number may change after reactivation
To request this, contact Customer Care.
How to Reactivate a Postpaid SIM Card
You can reactivate a postpaid (monthly) SIM card at any time through your online account.
To reactivate your SIM card:
- Log in to your account
- Go to Manage Airtime Plans
- Select your SIM card and choose Reactivate
Postpaid SIM cards can be reactivated an unlimited number of times with no reactivation fee.
For detailed steps, see How to Reactivate Postpaid (Monthly) Services.
What to Do If Your SIM Does Not Appear
In some cases, a postpaid SIM card that was previously reactivated may not appear in your account due to a backend syncing delay.
If your SIM card does not appear, contact Customer Care for assistance with manual reactivation.
Why You Should Avoid Frequent SIM Reactivations
While postpaid SIM cards can be reactivated at any time, frequent deactivation and reactivation is not recommended.
Keeping your SIM card active helps maintain consistent service and reduces the risk of delays or connectivity issues, especially when using your device in remote areas.
Get Help With SIM Card Reactivation
If you are unsure whether your SIM card can be reactivated or need help accessing your account, contact Customer Care.
Have your SIM number or account details ready to help speed up your request.
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