Data Card Unlocking...

J

JimM

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I don't often get data cards to unlock, but I got one today it was a Option Icon 7.6. I did a bit of research and found a reliable site that provides unlocking.

Supported Makes:

Dell
Huawei
Novatel Merlin
Option Globetrotter
Sierra Aircard

Most models but check before you purchase credits!

This server is super and prices are quite reasonable at 15 Euro! With payment via PayPal.

http://www.dc-unlocker.com/

Download the "DC Unlocker Client" application and buy enough credits, search for your data card in the application, login then just click unlock! The Icon 7.6 took around three minutes to complete the procedure.

Just remember to ensure that no software that accesses the data card is running when you try to search for the card or you'll get errors!

I thought this information may be of some use for those returning from abroad especially Europe where almost all data cards are network lock!
 
Last edited:
ONE YEAR LATER...

Pricing is still the same, but they now offer video tutorials and live support!

Oh, and they support more makes & models now...
 
Frankie said:
I think that some are locked.

As can be seen in this thread, I could not use the E272 on the "3" network in the UK until I flashed it.
Click to expand...

Nope the modems are not locked.

BUT....

The dashboard supplied with the modems are typically written for the Network (Vodafone in this case) so it won't know about other networks.

You did not flash the firmware (or if you did it was coincidental). Rather you replaced the Vodafone dashboard with another one that did know about the 3 network and could thus connect.

If you just installed the dashboard on your PC, it would also have worked.

Locking is done at firmware level and even flashing the firmware won't remove the lock. Only the manufacturer can remove the lock.
 
vodacom3g said:
Nope the modems are not locked.

BUT....

The dashboard supplied with the modems are typically written for the Network (Vodafone in this case) so it won't know about other networks.

You did not flash the firmware (or if you did it was coincidental). Rather you replaced the Vodafone dashboard with another one that did know about the 3 network and could thus connect.

If you just installed the dashboard on your PC, it would also have worked.

Locking is done at firmware level and even flashing the firmware won't remove the lock. Only the manufacturer can remove the lock.
Click to expand...

So can my card be unlocked for me? I bought it from Vodaworld about 3 years ago. Some of the cards were locked then.
 
I'm heading on holiday to the UK, where the best data deal I have been unable to unearth includes one of the new Huawei dongles from Vodafone UK. Anyone know if these would be locked?
 
Terencek said:
I'm heading on holiday to the UK, where the best data deal I have been unable to unearth includes one of the new Huawei dongles from Vodafone UK. Anyone know if these would be locked?
Click to expand...

Yup, they're locked.

Actually we see UK residents buying SA modems because they're not locked, so they can use them all over Europe.
 
Terencek said:
I'm heading on holiday to the UK, where the best data deal I have been unable to unearth includes one of the new Huawei dongles from Vodafone UK. Anyone know if these would be locked?
Click to expand...
The best prepaid service in the UK is "3".

As others have said, the modems in the UK are locked, and many of their sales staff will tell you that their SIM cards will only work in the devices that they sell, but that's BS.
 
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vodacom3g said:
Nope the modems are not locked.

BUT....

The dashboard supplied with the modems are typically written for the Network (Vodafone in this case) so it won't know about other networks.

You did not flash the firmware (or if you did it was coincidental). Rather you replaced the Vodafone dashboard with another one that did know about the 3 network and could thus connect.

If you just installed the dashboard on your PC, it would also have worked.

Locking is done at firmware level and even flashing the firmware won't remove the lock. Only the manufacturer can remove the lock.
Click to expand...
You're most likely correct, as usual.
 
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