Using Vodafone modems on other networks

[ginggs]

Vodacom do not sell network locked modems in South Africa. However, the software supplied with the modems; Vodafone Mobile Connect or Vodafone Mobile Broadband, does not allow the use of SIM cards from other network operators.

The purpose of this thread is to document various methods of circumventing this restriction.

The following methods do not modify the modem in any way, and thus should have no warranty implications. I have heard rumours that Vodacare check whether the device has been active on the Vodacom network when booking it in, so if you are returning a Vodafone modem under warranty, be sure to pop in a Vodacom SIM and allow it to register on the network first.

• Add your network operator to VMB's configuration files, as done for Cell-C here.
• Use a generic dashboard such as MDMA, or MWconn, or mAcme for OS X.
• Install the original manufacturer's dashboard; Huawei Mobile Partner for Kxxxx modems, ZTE Join Air for Kxxxx-Z modems. The K3805-Z modem has an Icera chipset and does not work with Join Air.

Sometime in 2009, Huawei drivers started to appear with the .inf files modified so that the device description appeared in Device Manager as 'Vodafone Mobile Broadband' instead of 'Huawei' devices. This prevented Mobile Partner from being able to detect Vodafone devices. It is possible to search and replace in all of the .inf files supplied with the drivers, but it seems that version 21 of Mobile Partner is able to detect Vodafone devices.

The following methods do modify the modem, and thus probably void the warranty.

• Flashing the original manufacturer's dashboard to the device. Note: this is not the same flashing a new firmware, this changes the dashboard installer stored on the device's emulated CD-ROM.
• Flashing the original manufacturer's original model firmware. e.g. Flashing the E372 firmware on a K4605. Besides changing the version of the firmware on the device, this also changes the USB VID/PID codes so that the modem is appears in Device Manager as a Huawei device instead of a Vodafone Mobile Broadband device.

Recent modems require a 'flash code' before flashing, one should be able to request this from Vodacom.
Alternatively, the code can be generated using the script here, or one of the already compiled tools available.

Information on dashboard and firmware downloads here, thanks JimM!

Opcos.XML file for VMB 10.2 here, thanks Tun@!

[robhob]

Hello!

A buddy of mine has a Vodafone K4505-z modem. He bought a Cell C sim but now the Vodafone software says "SIM not recognised".

Any ideas?

Cheers

Rob

[Ockie]

You need to use MDMA or a generic dash from the ZTE as the Vodafone software dont like non Vodacom sims.

AND NO....the device aint network locked...it is the software that dont like it.

[ginggs]

A buddy of mine has a Vodafone K4505-z modem. He bought a Cell C sim but now the Vodafone software says "SIM not recognised".

Try this:
How to use a Cell-C SIM with VMB 10.1

Update:
Tun@'s fix for VMB 10.2

[robhob]

Where do I find ether?

[robhob]

Found it!
http://www.nerve.org.za/mdma/

Thanks ginggs, worked perfectly!

[RVD]

Ginggs is the man!

Been using MDMA for my k4505-z on CellC for the past couple of months. No problems so far ... touch wood!

[grabo]

Hi there was wondering if anyone knows how get this 3g modem (K4605) to work on the other network sims like 8ta and cell c?
Its a really fast modem but want use the 8ta deal sim in it !
Any idea will be appreciated
Graeme

[system32]

Works fine on Cell-C - gives 12-14Mbps
On Windoze 7, I loaded the Voda software for the drivers, and configured a manual dialler.

Currently, I have it connected on a TL-WR1043ND with OpenWrt.

[grabo]

Hi system 32, can u pls tell me how u did it ,config the manual driver etc ,when i put the cell c sim in it just cant seem to discover it ?im using vista
Thanks

[Jola]

Anyone use a TP-Link MR3420 ?

[Jola]

Anyone use a TP-Link MR3420 ?

OK, I tested it, it does not work - anyone have a solution ?

[Vicehybrid]

good day
im currently using a Vodafone K3715 data card but i wanted to use the MtnFastLink dashboard on it but im confused which ver of dashboard should i install.
please help

[Jola]

I have been trying to flash the K4605 with the E372 firmware found on MTN's site, but the MTN upgrade asks for a password, anyone knows what that is ?

The K4605 and the E372 are firmware compatible, you just have to get past the software checks during the upgrade process.

BTW, I had no problems getting the K4605 to work on other networks, the problem is to get it to work on a router. Still can't understand why Vodafone downgrades their equipment like this.

[sajunky]

BTW, I had no problems getting the K4605 to work on other networks, the problem is to get it to work on a router. Still can't understand why Vodafone downgrades their equipment like this.

What do you mean by saying there are downgraded?