The network status indicator on the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone displays SOS. The SOS network status indicator means that you can only place emergency calls. Messages cannot be sent or received, and phone calls cannot be made or received.

This issue may be caused by one of the following:

1. The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is not properly inserted into the BlackBerry smartphone.
2. The SIM card is scratched or damaged.
3. The SIM card contacts are oxidized.
4. The service has been disconnected by the wireless service provider.
5. The network does not support roaming.
6. The network selection mode is set to manual and no network is selected.
7. The BlackBerry smartphone requires the latest software from the wireless service provider.

Cause 1 - The SIM card is not properly inserted into the BlackBerry smartphone.

Resolution

Check to make sure the SIM card is inserted properly. To perform this, follow these steps:

1. Remove the battery and SIM card from the BlackBerry smartphone. For instructions on how to remove the SIM card, see the Getting Started Quick Reference Card.
2. Insert the SIM card so that it fits properly into the BlackBerry smartphone, and then insert the battery.
3. If there are SIM card errors after the BlackBerry smartphone initializes, contact your wireless service provider.

Cause 2 - The SIM card is scratched or damaged.

Resolution

Check the SIM card for damage, then contact your service provider. To check the SIM card for damage, follow these steps:

1. Remove the battery and SIM card from the BlackBerry smartphone. For instructions on how to remove the SIM card, see the Getting Started Quick Reference Card.
2. Check the SIM card for scratches or other visible damage.
3. If possible, determine if the SIM card works in another BlackBerry smartphone.

Cause 3 - The SIM card contacts are oxidized. If the SIM card has been removed from a BlackBerry smartphone and exposed to air for an extended period, oxidation can occur on the SIM card contacts. Oxidation can render the SIM card unusable, or cause unpredictable electronic behavior.

Resolution

Check if oxidation has occurred and contact your service provider. To determine if oxidation has occurred, follow these steps:

1. Remove the battery and SIM card from the BlackBerry smartphone. For instructions on how to remove the SIM card, see the Getting Started Quick Reference Card.
2. Check the SIM card for discoloration or visible damage.

Cause 4 - Your service has been disconnected by your wireless service provider.

Resolution

Contact your service provider to make sure that the service on your BlackBerry smartphone is active.

Cause 5 - You have roamed to a network that does not support roaming.

Resolution

Change the state from SOS to GPRS on the BlackBerry smartphone. To perform this, follow these steps:

1. On the BlackBerry smartphone Home screen, disconnect the BlackBerry smartphone from the wireless network and then reconnect.
2. Verify that the SOS status has changed to GPRS.
3. If the status has not changed to GPRS, reset your BlackBerry smartphone. 
4. Verify that the SOS symbol has changed to GPRS.
5. If the status still displays SOS and not GPRS, from the Home screen, select Options.
6. From the Options list, select Network.
7. Change the Network Selection Mode option to Manual.
8. Select Scan for Available Networks.
9. Select an available network. If no network is available, contact your wireless service provider.

Cause 6 - The network selection mode is set to manual and no network is selected.

Resolution

Change the network selection mode to automatic on the BlackBerry smartphone. To perform this, follow these steps:

1. From the BlackBerry smartphone Home screen, select Options.
2. From the Options list, select Network.
3. Change the Network Selection Mode option to Automatic.
4. Press Escape, then click Save.

Cause 7 - The BlackBerry smartphone requires the latest software from the service provider.

Resolution

Upgrade the BlackBerry Device Software to the latest version available from your wireless service provider.  For instructions, see "How to cleanly install the BlackBerry Handheld OS".