What is it?
The Huawei B970 is a 3G router with an embedded 3G chip (think Linksys WRT54G3G without having to buy a PCMCIA card). It has 4 ethernet ports, an analogue port for attaching a phone, WiFi support as well as a connection for an external antenna. When attached via USB to a PC it presents itself in the same as a Huawei USB modem. In this mode however the ethernet ports and WiFi are disabled.
The info below applies to the Vodafone branded version but obviously many things will be similar to other rebranded devices.
The B970 has recently been replaced by the B970b. Main difference is better uplink speed (5.76 Mbps) and support for HSPA/UMTS in the 900MHz frequency range (which means you can use it with Cell C) otherwise everything else looks the same.
End of Life & Replacement
The B970/B970b is now end of life. The best replacement seems to be the B660 or B683
Specifications
Dimensions: (L/W/H): 155mm x 115mm x 28mm
Weight: < 500g
Compatible OS*: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7** (should work on Linux)
Operating Frequency: HSPA/UMTS 2100MHz, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Speed: 7.2 Mbps downlink, 2Mbps uplink
Ethernet: 4 Ports (RJ45) 10/100
Telephony: 1 Port (RJ11) for attaching an analogue phone
WiFi: 802.11g
USB Port: Doubles as either power in router mode or connectivity to a PC/Notebook in modem mode
Antenna: 1 SMA connector for attaching a 3G antenna
Light Indicators: Power, WiFi, Signal Strength, Mode (GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSPA)
*OS only matters when using it as a modem
**64bit users might need the Huawei patches
What's in the box?
1 x B970 Router
1 x Stand
1 x Ethernet Cable (RJ45)
1 x Phone Cable (RJ11)
1 x 2 Prong Power (Europlug) adapter (ends in USB-B)
1 x Split USB Cable (USB-A to USB-B)
1 x User Guide
1 x Quick Start Guide
Software Versions - Shipped
Boot Loader Version: 256.11.10.05.105sp03
Router Hardware Version: WLA1GAPU
Router Software Version: 256.11.10.05.105sp03
Release At: Sep 9 2008 11:41:37
Modem Hardware Version: WLA3TCPU
Modem Software Version: 256.11.10.04.111
Software Versions - Most Recent Update (SP04)
Boot Loader Version: 256.11.10.06.105sp04
Router Hardware Version: WLA1GAPU
Router Software Version: 256.11.10.06.105sp04
Release At: Nov 20 2008 16:39:40
Modem Hardware Version: WLA3TCPU
Modem Software Version: 256.11.10.07.1141
Vodafone/Vodacom Firmware Updates
SP04 is no longer available from the Vodacom Downloads Page since the site was revamped. I have uploaded a copy to mediafire: Firmware Upgrade 256.11.10.06.105.SP04. This update is supposed to correct the problem where the router looses its settings randomly, but sadly does not.
Caution: Care needs to be taken when applying this update. There have been reports of this update either resulting in a bricked router or a partially updated router. The update instructions below have proven to be successful.
MTN Firmware
MTN do have their own branded firmware, but there have already been reports that things like DDNS have been removed. There may be other features that have been disabled, so using this firmware on the Vodafone branded version is probably not a good idea. Workaround for enabling DDNS on the MTN firmware here
Available from the MTN Downloads Page. Direct Link: Version 20080811
Custom Firmware
Huawei have released the source and toolchain for download
There are some details on the E960 which is a close relative to the B970 and attempts at OpenWRT which could serve as a pointer to some enterprising persons.
Vodafone/Vodacom Firmware Update Procedure
I have personally bricked one router and at least one other forumite has reported bricking theirs. Another's partially updated and will not complete the rest. I have subsequently refined the update method and others have also reported successfully applying the SP04 update. It was also discovered that you can selectively update components if the update process fails. If you are not sure what you are doing it might be best to skip this one over or take your router to a Vodacare store and let them perform the update. As always Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).
DDNS Feature Not Available
It has been noted that other providers around the world, in a similar fashion to MTN, have also removed DDNS from their custom config. Some people have reported successfully flashing the Vodafone firmware over their existing providers firmware. You of course do so at own risk
Web Interface Tips
Factory Reset The Router
Advanced Settings | System | Restore Defaults | Click Restore
Change default admin password
Advanced Settings | System | Modify Password
Custom Profile (i.e. unrestricted APN)
Advanced Settings | Dial-up Settings | Profile Settings
Fill in/select the following:
Profile Name: Vodacom Unrestricted
PPP User Name: <leave blank>
PPP Password: <leave blank>
APN: Static: unrestricted
IP Address: Dynamic
DNS Server: Dynamic
Click Save
Click Back
Click PPP Settings
From the dropdown select: Vodacom Unrestricted
PPP Connection: Select desired option
Leave rest as is
Click Apply
Dynamic DNS setup
Advanced Settings | Dynamic DNS Settings
User Name: <your dyndns.org website login name>
Wildcard: Off
Host Name: myb970.dyndns.org
Password: <your dyndns.org website password>
Click OK
Click Apply
Click Back
Click Dynamic DNS Settings
You should see: dyndns.org myb970.dyndns.org username Off Update succeed!
Last Update: 2011-12-01
The Huawei B970 is a 3G router with an embedded 3G chip (think Linksys WRT54G3G without having to buy a PCMCIA card). It has 4 ethernet ports, an analogue port for attaching a phone, WiFi support as well as a connection for an external antenna. When attached via USB to a PC it presents itself in the same as a Huawei USB modem. In this mode however the ethernet ports and WiFi are disabled.
The info below applies to the Vodafone branded version but obviously many things will be similar to other rebranded devices.
The B970 has recently been replaced by the B970b. Main difference is better uplink speed (5.76 Mbps) and support for HSPA/UMTS in the 900MHz frequency range (which means you can use it with Cell C) otherwise everything else looks the same.
End of Life & Replacement
The B970/B970b is now end of life. The best replacement seems to be the B660 or B683
Specifications
Dimensions: (L/W/H): 155mm x 115mm x 28mm
Weight: < 500g
Compatible OS*: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7** (should work on Linux)
Operating Frequency: HSPA/UMTS 2100MHz, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Speed: 7.2 Mbps downlink, 2Mbps uplink
Ethernet: 4 Ports (RJ45) 10/100
Telephony: 1 Port (RJ11) for attaching an analogue phone
WiFi: 802.11g
USB Port: Doubles as either power in router mode or connectivity to a PC/Notebook in modem mode
Antenna: 1 SMA connector for attaching a 3G antenna
Light Indicators: Power, WiFi, Signal Strength, Mode (GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSPA)
*OS only matters when using it as a modem
**64bit users might need the Huawei patches
What's in the box?
1 x B970 Router
1 x Stand
1 x Ethernet Cable (RJ45)
1 x Phone Cable (RJ11)
1 x 2 Prong Power (Europlug) adapter (ends in USB-B)
1 x Split USB Cable (USB-A to USB-B)
1 x User Guide
1 x Quick Start Guide
Software Versions - Shipped
Boot Loader Version: 256.11.10.05.105sp03
Router Hardware Version: WLA1GAPU
Router Software Version: 256.11.10.05.105sp03
Release At: Sep 9 2008 11:41:37
Modem Hardware Version: WLA3TCPU
Modem Software Version: 256.11.10.04.111
Software Versions - Most Recent Update (SP04)
Boot Loader Version: 256.11.10.06.105sp04
Router Hardware Version: WLA1GAPU
Router Software Version: 256.11.10.06.105sp04
Release At: Nov 20 2008 16:39:40
Modem Hardware Version: WLA3TCPU
Modem Software Version: 256.11.10.07.1141
Vodafone/Vodacom Firmware Updates
SP04 is no longer available from the Vodacom Downloads Page since the site was revamped. I have uploaded a copy to mediafire: Firmware Upgrade 256.11.10.06.105.SP04. This update is supposed to correct the problem where the router looses its settings randomly, but sadly does not.
Caution: Care needs to be taken when applying this update. There have been reports of this update either resulting in a bricked router or a partially updated router. The update instructions below have proven to be successful.
MTN Firmware
MTN do have their own branded firmware, but there have already been reports that things like DDNS have been removed. There may be other features that have been disabled, so using this firmware on the Vodafone branded version is probably not a good idea. Workaround for enabling DDNS on the MTN firmware here
Available from the MTN Downloads Page. Direct Link: Version 20080811
Custom Firmware
Huawei have released the source and toolchain for download
There are some details on the E960 which is a close relative to the B970 and attempts at OpenWRT which could serve as a pointer to some enterprising persons.
Vodafone/Vodacom Firmware Update Procedure
I have personally bricked one router and at least one other forumite has reported bricking theirs. Another's partially updated and will not complete the rest. I have subsequently refined the update method and others have also reported successfully applying the SP04 update. It was also discovered that you can selectively update components if the update process fails. If you are not sure what you are doing it might be best to skip this one over or take your router to a Vodacare store and let them perform the update. As always Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).
- Download and extract the update package
- Connect to the router using a LAN cable (one was supplied in the box when you purchased it)
- Login to the router and make notes of any existing settings you wish to retain (MAC filter list, WIFI password etc).
- Factory reset the router: Advanced Settings | System | Restore Defaults | Click Restore
- Let it reboot, then power it down and remove the SIM
- Assign yourself a fixed IP for your LAN connection in the same range as the default one. (i.e. 192.168.1.20)
- In the folder you extracted review the B970 Upgrade User Guide.pdf
- Run: FmcUpdate.exe
- Click Check. Your router should be detected and it will list the current firmware and the target firmware. If your router is not detected you probably did not factory reset it.
- Click Update.
- The update process will start. It takes about 20min to complete.
- If at any point the update fails to update a certain component take careful note of what did update and then remove those files from the extracted folder and repeat the update steps. The update will detect that the files are missing and skip over updating them. This should allow for the rest of the update to resume.
- Sigh with relief if everything went well, otherwise you might be in for a trip to VodaCare
DDNS Feature Not Available
It has been noted that other providers around the world, in a similar fashion to MTN, have also removed DDNS from their custom config. Some people have reported successfully flashing the Vodafone firmware over their existing providers firmware. You of course do so at own risk
Web Interface Tips
Factory Reset The Router
Advanced Settings | System | Restore Defaults | Click Restore
Change default admin password
Advanced Settings | System | Modify Password
Custom Profile (i.e. unrestricted APN)
Advanced Settings | Dial-up Settings | Profile Settings
Fill in/select the following:
Profile Name: Vodacom Unrestricted
PPP User Name: <leave blank>
PPP Password: <leave blank>
APN: Static: unrestricted
IP Address: Dynamic
DNS Server: Dynamic
Click Save
Click Back
Click PPP Settings
From the dropdown select: Vodacom Unrestricted
PPP Connection: Select desired option
Leave rest as is
Click Apply
Dynamic DNS setup
Advanced Settings | Dynamic DNS Settings
User Name: <your dyndns.org website login name>
Wildcard: Off
Host Name: myb970.dyndns.org
Password: <your dyndns.org website password>
Click OK
Click Apply
Click Back
Click Dynamic DNS Settings
You should see: dyndns.org myb970.dyndns.org username Off Update succeed!
Last Update: 2011-12-01
Last edited:
