ZTE MF688 Problems :(

[Matchstick]

Hey guys

Just got my new ZTE MF688 3G modem and Cell C sim card yesterday, but it seems I've been having some issues. I've asked a couple of people that have already been using Cell C's mobile broadband, and they say they were able to use it the day they got it. However, whenever I plug mine into my PC and start up the connector, it says "No Service". I've tried using it in a different room, outside, on the roof, and yet no avail. I know for a fact it's not a lack of signal in my area, seeing as my brother can use his Cell C modem in his room, which is 2 doors down from mine.

Any idea what the issue might be?

 

[Keegan]

Hi, Do you get signal when you go to your bro's room?
If not do you have any other modem connector installed on your laptop?
If yes, uninstall it if you not using it as they mess with each other its a big headache having to different brands of usb modems.
The other way to connect is to go to network connections, look for the CellC one and connect it...

Oh and yes when you have two different connectors installed it does show as no service even tho you might have good signal..

Regards

 

[Matchstick]

Well, I have used other people's 3G modems on my PC before, but before installing mine, I did un-install both of those modems' software. But even after deleting "Cell C" and "Cell C Connector" in Network Connections, and re-installing the connector, I still have the same problem. Tried restarting after the re-install, didn't help either.

 

[ginggs]

Any idea what the issue might be?

It could be the SIM hasn't been properly RICA'd or activated.
Try swapping SIMs with your brother and see if you can determine whether the problem is with the SIM or the modem.

 

[Matchstick]

Alright, I've tried that, and here are my results:

My modem + my SIM = No Service
Bro's modem + my SIM = Picks up 3G, unable to connect
My modem + bro's SIM = Picks up 3G, can connect
Bro's modem + bro's SIM = Picks up 3G, can connect

*Just something I've noticed with my modem, if my SIM card is inside, the LED stays red the whole time, whereas if my brother's SIM card is inside, the LED turns blue during the Device Scan stage of the connector's initialization.

So the problem is obviously lying with my SIM card. According to my parents, it has already been RICA'd, any other process it needs to go through to actually be thoroughly activated?

 

[ginggs]

So the problem is obviously lying with my SIM card. According to my parents, it has already been RICA'd, any other process it needs to go through to actually be thoroughly activated?

Check with Cell-C whether it has been properly RICA'd and activated.

 

[Matchstick]

Alright, could you maybe just tell me where and/or how I could do that?

 

[ginggs]

Alright, could you maybe just tell me where and/or how I could do that?

Go to the Cell-C store where the modem and SIM card were purchased.

 

[Keegan]

Yeah agree with ginggs, Go to the shop they should have a laptop there that they can test your modem and sim with

 

[sajunky]

+1 to ginggs, as your modem is able to connect with other SIM.
Put your SIM to the normal phone, if "no service" use bro's SIM and phone call centre to query status of your SIM.

 

[Matchstick]

I'm pretty sure that the SIM is already RICA'd, seeing as you can't really buy a SIM card without registering it first.

Go to the Cell-C store where the modem and SIM card were purchased.

Just wondering whether on not this has to be at the shop it was purchased at, or would any Cell C store theoretically do?

+1 to ginggs, as your modem is able to connect with other SIM.
Put your SIM to the normal phone, if "no service" use bro's SIM and phone call centre to query status of your SIM.

Just a bit on that. When I put my Cell C SIM into my BlackBerry, it came up with the message "SIM not provisioned:2"
Anyone know what this indicates?

 

[sajunky]

I'm pretty sure that the SIM is already RICA'd, seeing as you can't really buy a SIM card without registering it first.

Are you philosopher?
Not sure what message on BB phone means, but you know already what you must do if you cannot phone call centre from your SIM. [Use your bro's SIM].

 

[Matchstick]

I've made plans to visit my local Cell C store tomorrow morning, I just hope they'll be able to sort my problem out.

 

[Matchstick]

Alright, so I've found out what the problem was. The dude at the Cell C store searched my SIM's RICA pin on the database, which came up with no results, meaning that the SIM hasn't been RICA yet. Damn you Nashua! Anyways, I'm getting it registered ASAP, thanks to everyone that helped me find out what the problem was, especially ginggs

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