Upgrading F/W on HUAWEI E220 (3Mobile)

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Snormossel

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Hi all

I have got a HUAWEI E220 USB modem that comes from the UK (3MOBILE). When I insert my VODACOM sim it does not want to connect to the network.

So my question how do I upgrade the F/W on this one? Heard from someone that I must upgrade the F/W and the dashboard simultaneously, but
I get the F/W and dashboard separately.

Any ideas?
 
How sure are you that your E220 is unlocked? Most devices in the UK are network locked, so even if you load Huawei mobile partner on it you will still be locked to 3.

You could always test with MDMA first before going through the dashboard upgrade.
 
3 UK is not always locked - its 3 in Ireland that lock theirs (FGI). Also you got the E220 which you can still flash (I accidentally flashed my Dads VC to MTN and it still worked - thats the dashboard).

If it was the ZTE then you where screwed (my Dad got one in Ireland and its gathering dust on my shelf).
 
cbrunsdonza said:
3 UK is not always locked - its 3 in Ireland that lock theirs (FGI). Also you got the E220 which you can still flash (I accidentally flashed my Dads VC to MTN and it still worked - thats the dashboard).

If it was the ZTE then you where screwed (my Dad got one in Ireland and its gathering dust on my shelf).
Click to expand...

OK....

So how do I go about checking and upgrading the thing?
 
It would be best for you to first check that it is not locked (it can still happen). Just stick in a local simm card and wait for it to register (LED indication). Try and connect using a windows dialup or in Linux, pppconfig. If you know your way around then pass AT commands to it.

To flash: Download the BIOS from the manufactorer (google that) and then the dashboard from the network you plan to use (MTN or Vodacom) - you can also get a dashboard from the manufactorer too. When flashing, be careful and try and do it on a laptop. I would recommend using the short cable and triple check your plugged into the USB2.0 port and not USB1 port (power issue).

Takes less than 5 minutes in total (and the modem will get really hot).
 
morkhans said:
How sure are you that your E220 is unlocked? Most devices in the UK are network locked, so even if you load Huawei mobile partner on it you will still be locked to 3.

You could always test with MDMA first before going through the dashboard upgrade.
Click to expand...
Not any more. Vodafone are not locking their data devices. The others unlock it for a modest fee or no fee at all.
 
The dashboard (Huawei Mobile Partner, Vodafone Mobile Connect, MTN Fastlink etc.) and firmware are separate to the part that determines if a device is locked or not.

While flashing your device with a firmware which has not been supplied by your provider may lock your device but no firmware is going to unlock your device (AFAIK).

The problem with using a 3 device in SA and a Vodoacom device on MTN (for example) is that the dashboard software might not recognise the SIM as valid. This problem can be solved by loading the Huawei Mobile Partner (which will work with any SIM) or the dash for the provider that you intend to use. Where this will not help you is if the device is network locked to a provider.
 
Last edited:
Soooooo

After picking up the modem again and searching the dark corners of the interwebz, I managed to find a detail explanation of how to "UNLOCK" my 3mobile E220 USB modem. Quite a process but I am happily surfing the net with my "new" modem that I got for free..... :)
 
Snormossel said:
Soooooo

After picking up the modem again and searching the dark corners of the interwebz, I managed to find a detail explanation of how to "UNLOCK" my 3mobile E220 USB modem. Quite a process but I am happily surfing the net with my "new" modem that I got for free..... :)
Click to expand...
Please share your newfound knowledge with the willing and unwilling.:p
 
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