Vodacom R206 Mifi Router/modem - using with other network

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fruitbat

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Hi,

Has anyone successfully used a R206 mifi router/modem from Vodacom with another network?

I want to get a CELLC simcard and try and get it to work... but maybe someone can tell me if they have tried it before?

Thanks
 
It is illegal for GSM/cellular devices to be network-locked in RSA, so it should work. Only consideration to check is if the modem supports HSPA at 900mhz, which is the frequency that Cell C uses.
 
Saajid said:
It is illegal for GSM/cellular devices to be network-locked in RSA, so it should work. Only consideration to check is if the modem supports HSPA at 900mhz, which is the frequency that Cell C uses.
Click to expand...

Of course you are right! I think it does support that... will be getting a SIM this evening. Thanks Saajid!
 
fruitbat said:
Of course you are right! I think it does support that... will be getting a SIM this evening. Thanks Saajid!
Click to expand...

Hi,

It works with CellC! Picked up the simcard today

used the Custom setting for the connection. And put in CELLC's APN name, and used googles DNS servers, and voila.

IT WORKED!

I'm a happy camper!
 
Please could you advise me on how you managed to configure the settings. Thank you
 
There's a very nice free Android app for the R206 which you might like to google and install, which apparently gives you plenty of control over your modem (or so I have read -- I use the generic version of the Vodafone-branded R206, the Huawei K5331, and the Voda app will not work with it, sadly).
 
Cell C sim card in a Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi R206

Good evening ladies and gentlemen

I'm desperate and need some help. It is in regard to obtaining an internet connection off my Cell C sim. I recently purchased the R206 Wi-Fi modem.

When inserting the sim card into the modem, I switch it on and turn on the WiFi setting on my Mac. It picks up the R206 and I can modify the settings on Safari. Upon entering the basic details on Safari, it shows that I'm connected and picks up the network and even cell phone number linked to the sim card.

I've changed the APN settings to "internet" and left the rest blank. When I go to a website, it freezes. Nothing. Doesn't route anywhere. But - if I insert the same sim card into my old Vodacom stick, then I am able to surf and don't experience any problems.

There's obviously one simple setting gone off that I'm not getting. Please help me :(
 
I can't say that I've seen a spot to enter a dial up number, and I'm no blonde when it comes to this stuff. I've tried almost every variation on the Vodacom portal, cos the portal is the only place available for me to modify modem settings.

I'm going to look for "access number" tonight. I can't recall it. Any other suggestions?
 
oh so it's trying to force you to use the vodacom software.

The modem is made by Huawei so go to the Huawei site and get the latest dialup software: http://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/downloads/

if your modem is locked on the vodacom network and you can't use huawei software just hack it:

http://unlock4modem.in/unlock-huawei-r201-wifi-mifi-mobile-router-free-instructions/

if this way of hacking it doesn't work then download the dc-unlocker:

https://www.dc-unlocker.com/forum/index.php
more info: https://www.dc-unlocker.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3379
 
Thanks for the suggestions bro!

I've managed to get it to work. For anyone else, this is how to go about it:

- Vodacom R206 is ordinarily set to PAP settings
- Create a "Custom" setting
- APN is 'internet'
- Change from PAP to CHAP
- The most important bit - enter the cell phone number of the SIM card (With USB sticks you don't have to do it, but apparently you have to for the R206)
- Save the settings (If the connect remains as disconnected, simply refresh the page)

Do not complete the DNS and DNS2 blocks. I read another fellow entered Google's public DNS and it worked for him. That does not work on the R206. And voila! Darn thing then works!

Bro, I want to thank you again for responding to my post!
 
Hi, does anyone know how much this router costs?
 
Hi kavish1,

kavish1 said:
I can't say that I've seen a spot to enter a dial up number...
Click to expand...

I have the same problem. I cannot find a place to enter the unlock key and the flash number.
I have not yet changed my internet supplier and afraid to change it
if I cant make my new supplier's sim (which comes with us stick modem) work with this Huawei R206.
What I do understand from your explanation below is that
I do not need to unlock it but just make a new profile with the mentioned settings, is it so?

Settings said:
- Vodacom R206 is ordinarily set to PAP settings
- Create a 'Custom' setting
- APN is 'internet'
- Change from PAP to CHAP
- The most important bit - enter the cell phone number of the SIM card
- Save the settings
- Do not complete the DNS and DNS2 blocks.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Ramci

I'm sorry for not seeing this message. You are correct - you need to create a new profile. From the research I've done on this unit, I can tell you that it is not locked to any network.

It boils down to the settings for the specific network. You need to navigate to the website to make any changes to the R206 whereas on the stick modems, there is a Cell C or Vodacom or MTN program for it.

In your manual there is a website address, something along the lines of http://vodacom.mobi.... The password is generally "admin". Try giving that a shot. If not, I'm happy to help, alternatively your network operator would be your last resort.

Kavish
 
kavish1 said:
Hi Ramci

I'm sorry for not seeing this message. You are correct - you need to create a new profile. From the research I've done on this unit, I can tell you that it is not locked to any network.

It boils down to the settings for the specific network. You need to navigate to the website to make any changes to the R206 whereas on the stick modems, there is a Cell C or Vodacom or MTN program for it.

In your manual there is a website address, something along the lines of http://vodacom.mobi.... The password is generally "admin". Try giving that a shot. If not, I'm happy to help, alternatively your network operator would be your last resort.

Kavish
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot kavish1, my settings page is http://vodafonemobile.wifi/html/home.htm and I can log into it by using the password admin. I was just upset not to be able to find the unlock key box to be entered. However, it is clear from your guidence that I can do it when I sign a contract with another GSM operator.

Thanks again once more!

Below, you will find the screenshot of my settings, where in the Number box, the phone number of the sim is entered.
lwGepdU.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hi Ramci

I would just like to know if the number you entered was the SIM number on the back of the SIM card or the actual cell phone number.
 
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