Are MyWireless modems network locked?

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lewstherin

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Hi ppl

Thought maybe some1 has an idea as to whether or not the IPWireless modems that Sentech uses are flashed with any kind of operator-specific bios/authentication protocols?
What I'm getting at is whether or not the modems can be used interchangably across different operator networks - eg. can a Woosh (NZ version of Sentech) modem be used on Sentech's network?

If they can be used then sweet...I'm gonna find a cheaper modem from one of the overseas providers and get it brought in [}:)]
If they can't be used interchangably, is it possible to flash the modem to Sentech settings?

<font color="blue">Telkom needs a leash, ICASA needs some guts, and the </font id="blue"><font color="red">SA consumer</font id="red"><font color="blue"> needs to make it happen</font id="blue">
 
Better be damn dead sure of this before you get the NZ modem. That R3500 could turn out quite expensive.

I'm quite happy with the 24 month deal - at least you dont (it seems) get ripped off for the modem as badly. I reckon the modem probably costs R1500 assuming overseas prices and the fact that sentech must have bought thousands so probably benefited from a (buy-in-bulk) cheaper price.

Its a Telkom tactic to rip people off for the modem before getting ANY service at all. Pay R3500 and you still have nothing. Then you must STILL pay the R570. Ridiculous..
 
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by greedyflyza</i>
Its a Telkom tactic to rip people off for the modem before getting ANY service at all. Pay R3500 and you still have nothing. Then you must STILL pay the R570. Ridiculous..
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
The modems in NZ are heavily subisdised according to Woosh, and they still cost R1000+, so I don't think Sentech are making that much off the modems - not ripoff levels at least [;)]

<font color="blue">Telkom needs a leash, ICASA needs some guts, and the </font id="blue"><font color="red">SA consumer</font id="red"><font color="blue"> needs to make it happen</font id="blue">
 
Thats fine but still the modem should then cost R2400 according to my calculations. I will pay R2400 happily but not R3500. If it were R2400 then the packages (24 month vs 12 month) would have equivalent cost and thus then a person who doesnt meet Sentech's "Scoring criteria" can get the equivalent deal. This is what they are TRYING to say by recommending the unbundled option. In fact they are saying, you WILL pay more upfront.. I dont think its fair.
 
You have a point Fly...I guess if one thinks cellphones, then pay as u go is generally more expensive as far as call charges etc go than contracts - its the cell providers way of encouraging contracts (steady $$).

Anyhow back to my original question...anyone have any tech insight into the network-specific features of the modems? theRodent? ProASM?

Methinks Pro may not be allowed to mention anything tho...[B)]

<font color="blue">Telkom needs a leash, ICASA needs some guts, and the </font id="blue"><font color="red">SA consumer</font id="red"><font color="blue"> needs to make it happen</font id="blue">
 
I am also currently exploring this option.

As far as I know they aren't locked but I think we should see if there is an answer from ProAsm.

I'm also finding out about modems from the manufacturer - IPWireless - but I haven't had any reply as yet. Surely it can't be R 3500 for a pcmcia card? I mean honestly, that's a little high.

I will let everyone know if I get a reply or some information.

Does woosh offer pcmcia modems? I worked out that their AUS/NZ$200 modem is about R820 (R 4.1 = AUS/NZ$1). If so I would definately import one for myself - I don't feel right about being raped by Sentech just because they are an alternative to Telkom.
 
I wouldn't count on NZ$200 for a modem, since that is subject to signing up on their service (hence the subsidy).
I think the modems will be expensive here for a while because of the newness of the product and the small userbase...I doubt Sentech would be looking to 'rape' us on the modems since the cost of modem is the barrier to entry onto their service. Its much like ADSL modems were steep to start with...although now we're talking Hellkom [}:)] and every1 knows about their pricing...

A seperate modem without contract will probably still be cheaper overseas...I'm checking out the other IpWireless ppl now like ClearWire, Mau Sky Fiber, AtlasOne etc...will let you guys know if I find a way to get cheap modems in [8]

<font color="blue">Telkom needs a leash, ICASA needs some guts, and the </font id="blue"><font color="red">SA consumer</font id="red"><font color="blue"> needs to make it happen</font id="blue">
 
Let us know if you find cheaper modems. I would bet though that they are LOCKED and if Sentech finds out that you are getting modems imported then they will probably implement a locking scheme like Multichoice did with their supposed "better" Smartcard version2 for DSTV. All they were doing was stepping up their copy protection.

So now one must ask? Why isnt Sentech also subsidising the modems heavily (okay, its africa so lets be fair.. make it R1500 not R850 - shipping)? They must have bought/ordered a lot of modems at a low price.

The good thing is that all the new users will be subsidising the growth of the infrastructure so its not all bad paying more for a modem but R3500 is a bit much. I would like to see R1500-R2000 since you still have to pay the R570. Whatever happened to ATTRACTING customers?
 
MANY thanks, lewstherin.

Any information would be helpful! (Good or bad)
 
Well I don't imagine the modems themselves are locked in any way, but I do think that Sentech maintains a list of modems that are permitted to connect to their network (thus the initialisation thingumy when you 1st get your modem).

I'd like a PC-Card modem for my laptop when I go roaming, saves having to disconnect the big beast and lug it about (and 2 hours battery is pretty crap too).

While on the topic, anyone know what the "extended" warranty was on the contract? What does my extra R14.58 actually get me?
 
Remember we're talking about cellphone technology. Each phone or modem is identified by a worldwide IMEI. The box comes with the number on a barcode, so obviously SenTech has a database of these.

Wether or not they have the equipment to identified imported devices is unknown. But if they start loosing R1500 times 100 modems, they'll be able to make a plan. Weather or not they will be able to resist the R500-R1000 per month is a different question.

I guess that if they don't want people to import modems they'll need to specify clearly on the unpackaged contracts that only fastcomm modems will work.


<hr noshade size="1"><center>N<s>oo</s>ne needs to reply to everything</center>
 
oooo I dont want to tread here but....... [:D]
If you buy a modem outright from Woosh it will set you back NZ$499
Then there is import charges.
Now all modems have flashed IMEI (serial numbers) so Sentech will know its not one of theirs and whether they will activate it for you I really dont know.


<hr noshade size="1"><center><font color="blue">MyWireless Stuff</font id="blue"></center>
 
Bottom line....Sentech have provided us with a first time alternative. It's still a bit buggy (as it's still in it's early days), but what a great product. I can't believe that someone would take this much trouble to save R 300.00 - R 1000.00...If I were Sentech, I would hard lock my modems. You have a choice, you don't have to use their product
 
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by ProAsm</i>
If you buy a modem outright from Woosh it will set you back NZ$499
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

The price I saw was NZ$199. The exchange rate is 4.4. If you import it, it will most likely be classified as computer equipment, which nowdays attract no import tax, which leaves just the VAT. I'm not sure what the courier will cost...

Let's say about R1500 [:D]. R2000 tops.

Maybe the 199 is a subsidized price, and they hammer the user during the next few months, in which case they'll bind you with a contract for a number of months.

Hangon... that can't be right. Selling 250 Kbps at about R300/m can't be considered hammering.

<hr noshade size="1"><center>[:X][:0][:I][8)][:)][8D][:D][:(!][V][}:)][|)][?][^][:p]</center>
 
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The price I saw was NZ$199.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">Thats their subsidised price and there is no way they gonna give you a modem at that price as they will now be subsidising SA ?
Dont go by what you see, pick up the telephone and phone them, thats what we did although our call was technical but we through this in for good measure.


<hr noshade size="1"><center><font color="blue">MyWireless Stuff</font id="blue"></center>
 
Pro is right, the modem cost $199 only if you sign up for a contract...so it would seem that Sentech is not doing any subsidising at the moment.
I think it would be worth their while to do so - not only because it makes a modem cheaper for me [:o)] - but its sound business. The cell providers have been subsidising handsets for ages - especially when cells were first so expensive - and its proven to sell a lot more contracts.
The modem is a big barrier to entry for many due to the cost (and its implicated effect on monthly rates).

<font color="blue">Telkom needs a leash, ICASA needs some guts, and the </font id="blue"><font color="red">SA consumer</font id="red"><font color="blue"> needs to make it happen</font id="blue">
 
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