Help needed with Vodafone Novatel Merlin XU870

3Gee

3Gee

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My Vodacom sim works perfectly with the Vodafone Novatel Merlin XU870 Express card , when i insert a MTN sim , the Pin is accepted , signal is displayed , but no connection is made , the program displays searching for NEW HARDWARE
 
3Gee said:
My Vodacom sim works perfectly with the Vodafone Novatel Merlin XU870 Express card , when i insert a MTN sim , the Pin is accepted , signal is displayed , but no connection is made , the program displays searching for NEW HARDWARE
Click to expand...

Long shot, but MTN handle their 64K sims differently necessitating a special firmware. We've seen this before with 64K MTN sims in a Vodacom E220.

From Huawei:
We also met the problem that Vodacom E220 can not work with MTN 64K SIM before. We have checked the problem and find out the reason.

According to the 3GPP protocol 31.102, USIM card should have the EFECC File.

But the lack of this file in MTN USIM card causes the conflict issue with
the normal E220 modem. So all of the E220 modems sold to MTN are special
Firmware and will not check the EFECC file. The Vodacom version is the
normal version and can be used with all the normal USIM cards.

So, if the MTN subscriber uses Vodacom E220 with MTN 64k USIM card, he will find the modem can not be used (MTN 32k card works fine). The modem must check the EFECC file first, but MTN 64k USIM card has not the file. It seems like the Sim Lock. But the reason is that MTN 64k USIM cards have not EFECC file.
Click to expand...

It *might* be something similar. Maybe try a non-64K MTN sim and see if it helps.
 
vodacom3g said:
Long shot, but MTN handle their 64K sims differently necessitating a special firmware. We've seen this before with 64K MTN sims in a Vodacom E220.

From Huawei:


It *might* be something similar. Maybe try a non-64K MTN sim and see if it helps.
Click to expand...

The problem is the Vodafone / Vodacom Branded Software , it only allows Vodafone / Vodacom based Companies / Sim Cards. I have found a way of bypassing this.

The Modem itself is not network locked.
 
3Gee said:
The problem is the Vodafone / Vodacom Branded Software , it only allows Vodafone / Vodacom based Companies / Sim Cards. I have found a way of bypassing this.
Click to expand...
Have you checked on the Novatel website whether they have their own generic dashboard software?
 
3Gee said:
The problem is the Vodafone / Vodacom Branded Software , it only allows Vodafone / Vodacom based Companies / Sim Cards. I have found a way of bypassing this.

The Modem itself is not network locked.
Click to expand...

OK, that makes sense. I don't think Vodafone is going to build support for all networks into their dash....:)

Does the MTN dash not support this card?

Maybe let the VC dash create the dial-up setup and then connect directly from DUN. (This used to work with the 3G cards)
 
Hi 3GEE,

I have the same problem as well after a firmware upgrade, you posted that you have found a work around. Please advise on that, what do i need to do?

Thanks in advance
 
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