Help needed with E272 and CellC SIM card

[Steinie]

As a pensioner, I am seriously considering CellC's new offering as I am tired of paying exorbitant prices for VC's data bundles.

About two months ago I purchased a CellC SIM card just to test signal strength etc. Until recently, I got a reasonable signal (using my phone), but no 3G.

I tried it again, recently, and am now getting a full 3G signal. I can access the internet through my phone, but as soon as I insert the SIM card in my E272 modem, it initialises the Mobile Partner software ... and then nothing happens. No signal, no nothing. Then it tells me that the device has been disconnected!

The modem works fine with a VC SIM. I realise that it does not support UMTS 900, but would this prevent it from working altogether?

Any ideas? Anyone?

 

[ginggs]

I realise that it does not support UMTS 900, but would this prevent it from working altogether?

If the modem is set to '3G Only' or '3G Preferred' it might be trying to roam on Vodacom, try setting it to 'GPRS/EDGE Only'.

 

[Jola]

I can't help you offhand, but I do have a E272 and a Cell C SIMM, so I will do a few tests and report back.

 

[morkhans]

The CellC SIM works in my E272 with Mobile Partner and MDMA. ginngs's comment on the modem being in 3G only mode is a good one. Other thing to do is to test with MDMA. It will also be easy to set the modes with it.

Only other thing off the top of my head is the fact that the Cell C SIM is 128K. Maybe the firmware you have doesn't like it (I updated mine a while back).

 

[Jola]

I can't help you offhand, but I do have a E272 and a Cell C SIMM, so I will do a few tests and report back.

I'm afraid that my E272 with the Cell C SIMM immediately picks up Cell C Edge and works just fine (I do have 900MHz UMTS where I live, but the modem obviously cannot handle that).

So mine works fine, but I also have fairly new firmware (updated early this year).

I have Mobile Partner on my E272, set up to work with a VC profile, but that works on Cell C because the APN is the same.

Edit : I also tried the Cell C Dashboard, that also works fine - also Cell C Edge.

 

[sajunky]

as soon as I insert the SIM card in my E272 modem, it initialises the Mobile Partner software ... and then nothing happens. No signal, no nothing. Then it tells me that the device has been disconnected!

---
I guess you are doing SIMM hotswap (changing the SIMM card while modem is powered on). Try it again with modem unplugged, then reconnect modem, so it will do proper power on initialisation from new SIMM card. Currently it will not work on CellC 3G, but unless it is in 3G-only mode it should pickup edge signal.

 

[Steinie]

Thanks for all the prompt responses!!

@ ginggs - my choices are GSM preferred, GSM only, WCDMA preferred and WCDMA only. I tried the lot, to no avail.

@ morkhans - I have just installed the latest (?) firmware: 11.415.05.00.00 -- didn't seem to make any difference, though.

@ Jola - As soon as I connect the modem, the LED flashes green (double flashes), whereas with the VC SIM, it always flashes blue. Mobile Partner shows no signal strength and, as soon as I click Connect, it tells me that the device has been disconnected.

@ sajunky - I always disconnect the modem before swapping SIM cards. It's a habit.


Bed time ... I'll check again in the morning. Thanks again for trying, you guys!

 

[sajunky]

@ Jola - As soon as I connect the modem, the LED flashes green (double flashes), whereas with the VC SIM, it always flashes blue. Mobile Partner shows no signal strength and, as soon as I click Connect, it tells me that the device has been disconnected.

Blue light - modem is in 3G mode. Advice was correct. With VC card swith to GPRS/EDGE only. Another thought, modem can be in manual search mode. Switch to automatic search before swapping cards.

Meant "GSM only"

 

[morkhans]

If you get no joy with MDMA, it could be a simple as the SIM doesn't work in the modem. We see it crop up in the Vodacom forums from time to time where a SIM works perfectly in one device but not in another. So if you are positive it's working correctly in the phone, then it could just be that.

You don't have access to another modem from a friend perhaps?

 

[Steinie]

If you get no joy with MDMA, it could be a simple as the SIM doesn't work in the modem. We see it crop up in the Vodacom forums from time to time where a SIM works perfectly in one device but not in another. So if you are positive it's working correctly in the phone, then it could just be that.

You don't have access to another modem from a friend perhaps?

I think you have hit the nail on its head! Just spoke to a friend who says that he had the exact same problem with a CellC SIM card in an E220, yet it worked perfectly well in his cellphone.

Thanks to everyone for your valued input. Much appreciated.

 

[Jola]

Why don't you try to pick up a cheap modem that supports 900MHz UMTS - the K3565 (only 3.6mbps) for R359 at CNA & Hifi corp comes to mind.

There may be some faster ones that are also at good prices. Even the Cell C 7.2mbps modem.

 

[sajunky]

I think you have hit the nail on its head! Just spoke to a friend who says that he had the exact same problem with a CellC SIM card in an E220, yet it worked perfectly well in his cellphone.

So these guys might have the same problem. If you ever used MWConnect and its feature to meassure signal strenght, you get such a problem. It is very nice, because is shows you signal strenght of all other operators in the area, but it leaves modem in manual network search mode. I have A1 vodafone E272, it comes with Mobile Connect software. I see on the menu that after using MWConnect the manual network search mode is activated. I have to change to change to 'auto', then I can log to other networks. Hope it helps. It cannot be fixed in MDMA.

Added: Listen to Jola. If you could afford E272, then think K3565. It might be more stable than brand CellC E1752, besides slower speed.

 

[Jola]

Added: Listen to Jola. If you could afford E272, then think K3565. It might be more stable than brand CellC E1752, besides slower speed.

But, IMHO, get the Huawei version of the K3565, not the ZTE version. Should have less issues with that.

 

[Steinie]

Thanks again for all the feedback. Very interesting and very useful, indeed!

The plan is to go for the R2999 option. What make and model is the branded modem that comes with this package and is it any good?



(PS: I did not buy the E272 - it was a gift from VC for assisting them with fault-finding/tests about two years ago.)

 

[ginggs]

The plan is to go for the R2999 option. What make and model is the branded modem that comes with this package and is it any good?

The R2999 package includes a Huawei E1820 modem. I am very happy with mine.

 

[Steinie]

The R2999 package includes a Huawei E1820 modem. I am very happy with mine.

Thanks, ginggs!

Another question, which is not very clear form the CellC website: if I bought a modem separately, could I still buy the 60GB (over 12 months) from CellC? If so, how much?


Ignore this question! I was looking at the wrong page. I see that I can get a SIM plus 60GB for R1999.

 

[sajunky]

(PS: I did not buy the E272 - it was a gift from VC for assisting them with fault-finding/tests about two years ago.)

A gift might be network locked. You can check it by inserting other network card MTN or Telkom, both use the same 3G 2100MHz band as VC.

 

[morkhans]

A gift might be network locked. You can check it by inserting other network card MTN or Telkom, both use the same 3G 2100MHz band as VC.

Will be local Vodacom stock, I seriously doubt it.

 

[Steinie]

A gift might be network locked. You can check it by inserting other network card MTN or Telkom, both use the same 3G 2100MHz band as VC.

I have used an MTN SIM in it before and it worked well, so it is obviously not locked.

As I said to morkhans, the CellC signal on my phone is very strong, so I should be okay. I have been spoilt by the VC tower being about 200m from my place. I often see speeds of 6.5 Mbps using the Washington server of Speedtest.com.

 

[ginggs]

I see on the menu that after using MWConnect the manual network search mode is activated. I have to change to change to 'auto', then I can log to other networks. Hope it helps. It cannot be fixed in MDMA.

MDMA has a command line switch, '/opselauto', which will return the modem to automatic operator selection and registration.