Are the new Vodafone data cards locked to Vodacom?

[Phaff]

I downloaded the Huawei "generic" dashboard software and tried a MTN SIM, I was promptly prompted for a 8 digit unlocking pin code

I then looked at the invoice and like Stix saw it stated "Network Locked"

So there goes cheap VM rates out of the window...

 

[stix]

My understanding is that Network devices can be locked to a network until Spetember this year - after that its is an illegal practice.

Then again thats from a hurried question and answer

 

[Skeptik]

What's the answer:
Vodacom data cards LOCKED?
Vodacom data cards NOT LOCKED?

Haven't we had an answer yet?

 

[Terencek]

Mine is definitely locked, no question. Have now asked Voda Customer Care for a response, but don't hold your breath!

 

[wlamb]

Locked

What's the answer:
Vodacom data cards LOCKED?
Vodacom data cards NOT LOCKED?

Haven't we had an answer yet?

155 got back to me and told me its Vodafone locked and the cards come into SA locked to the Vodafone network....

 

[vodacom3g]

What's the answer:
Vodacom data cards LOCKED?
Vodacom data cards NOT LOCKED?

Haven't we had an answer yet?

Short answer is, the lastest batches seems to be locked and all new ones should be locked. There probably still are cards in the channel that is not locked.

I'm still waiting for the 'official' policy, will publish as soon as I have it.

 

[lilDeath]

Thanks dude.
Holding off a bit myself till I can read the answer.
Will a channel know whether a card is network locked or not?

 

[vodacom3g]

Thanks dude.
Holding off a bit myself till I can read the answer.
Will a channel know whether a card is network locked or not?

No, but try and get a non-Huawei card, I believe they were the first batch to be locked, so you might be OK with an Option or Novatel. You did not hear it from me...

 

[Skeptik]

Thanks for the answer V3g

Now can anyone tell us how to unlock them?

 

[Daveogg]

Thanks dude.
Holding off a bit myself till I can read the answer.
Will a channel know whether a card is network locked or not?

Huh i am confused by "channel" do you mean retail channel ie shop

No, but try and get a non-Huawei card, I believe they were the first batch to be locked, so you might be OK with an Option or Novatel. You did not hear it from me...

V3G are you honestly saying that a card will be sold with neither the retailer nor the customer knowing that it is "locked"

 

[vodacom3g]

Huh i am confused by "channel" do you mean retail channel ie shop

V3G are you honestly saying that a card will be sold with neither the retailer nor the customer knowing that it is "locked"

Yes, the retail channel. Vodacom works like a distributor where they supply products to a channel (VSP, Nashua, et. al.) that resells them.

No, what I'm saying is that the locking is new, and cards that's already in the 'channel' probably will be from the 'unlocked' batches that shipped a while ago.

However, from now on, all cards will be locked and these cards are beginning to appear in the channel. In a few weeks time, probably all the cards will be the locked ones as the old stock gets sold.

You won't be able to tell if a card is locked or not, until you try it on another network, so the retailers nor customers can tell this up front.

The channel should be informed about this, I'll make sure that they are.

 

[wlamb]

Agreed

v3g, if someone buys an HSDPA data card outright [i.e. cash], will they be supplied with a locked or unlocked data card? and if locked, will that cash customer be able to get it unlocked then & there at the retail outlet?

I agree totally and furhtermore, being locked into a contract for 24 months means you pay for the data card anyhow, can one then get it unlocked after the 24 months??

 

[Daveogg]

While I will reserve my own personal judgement until the official locking policy answer comes through, I will say that this locking is at the very least a bad idea.

However, from now on, all cards will be locked and these cards are beginning to appear in the channel.

Pretty much looks like an official policy to me.

 

[charl.voster]

What's next? Cellphones? Seems Vodacom is scared of number portability. If you can't keep the number, then keep the phone??

 

[Daveogg]

LOL, yes, but I was referring to what v3g posted here:[post=606332][/post]Basically it's the official reason [rather than policy] for suddenly locking data cards that I would like to know...

Me too!! Seems really short sighted too me.

Luckily for me i seemed to get an unlocked card, but if i was still in the market to get a card the fact that it may be locked would steer me well away from vodacom.

Problem is that with a unlocked MTN card, the vodacom network would be priced out because no infamous PPDBs available.

One other point - how exactually is the card "locked"? Is it a firmware "feature"?

V3G could you give us your assurance that no firmware upgrade in the future is suddenly going to "lock" my currently very "free" card.

 

[adsl3g]

Has to be via firmware...v3g?

Can one then rather update the firmware via the Huawei site or is this not advisable - I am not worried about the dashboard, the Huwaei dashboard apparently runs fine locally
- although I have not tested it.

 

[Daveogg]

Has to be via firmware...v3g?I'm sure that v3g would love to give us that assurance, but it is not v3g that would be deciding such a thing, it would be a Vodacom [or Vodafone] policy decision, and one that we cannot & must not hold v3g liable for if Vodacom decided in future to change the policy...

Point taken - dont shoot the messenger.

But i do believe my request is valid let me rephase.

V3G could you please get an assurance from Vodacom that a future firmware upgrade will not "lock" the currently unlocked cards.

 

[vodacom3g]

Point taken - dont shoot the messenger.

But i do believe my request is valid let me rephase.

V3G could you please get an assurance from Vodacom that a future firmware upgrade will not "lock" the currently unlocked cards.

Is a valid question.

I need to check if the locking is done via the firmware or some other software component on the card. My gut reaction would be that it could lock the card, if it is part of the firmware.

 

[FireTelkom]

Card is Locked or not!

I swopped a card on Saturday at Vodaworld and was told that the new card is networked locked. I requested it to be lifted and were told they will not do this and that all new cards are locked.

I complaint on HelloPeter and received the following reply from Vodacom:

"The feedback received from the Manager at Vodacare Vodaworld is that we do not unlock 3G data cards. He has advised that we will be able to exchange the card to a Novatel card, but it would still be network locked.

Should you have any further queries, please contact us via e-mail at customercare@vodacom.co.za.

Warm Regards

Roderique Lategan

Email Contact Centre"

A person from Vodacare at Vodaworld called me late yesterday and asked me to test another sim in the card. He told me that it is not locked. I tested the card with a MTN prepaid sim and were able to connect but not open any webpage. I thereafter used my contract MTN sim and had no problem to use MTN sim in the Option card.

I am therefor confused. The card is not locked but according to Roderique Lategan was supposed to be locked. It does not realy matter as I am now again able to use other sims card in countries outside SA as the roaming costs of more than R100 per MB is to expensive for me.

FireTelkom

 

[stix]

An interesting observation. Invoice as previously stated says card is network locked. But on vodacome4me - under profile it has a locked state and my account shows this to be set at unlocked.