Change to unlocked firmware for Skinny B618

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Change to unlocked firmware for Skinny B618 - is it possible

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potsiea

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#2626659 25-Dec-2020 10:36

Thanks for that Cyril.

Where is the best place to look if our permanent address is now in the pipeline also? (Kensington Drive, Peka Peka).

cyril7

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#2626662 25-Dec-2020 10:48

Hi, Chorus's site is best, dont forget to use the date control at the top right corner.

https://www.chorus.co.nz/tools-support/broadband-tools

https://www.chorus.co.nz/tools-support/broadband-tools/broadband-map

And sorry but the little copper ISAM cabinet down at the end of Peka Peka Rd near the roundabout leading onto the express way is all you are getting, no fibre for that part of Peka Peka.

Cyril

neb

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#2977951 5-Oct-2022 20:04

Jiriteach:
Those devices are not locked and can be used on other networks. Just requires a swap of the sim and the correct APN setup. While yes the firmware can be reflashed - it actually requires opening the device and hardware intervention.

It looks like I may be able to get one of these to sort out the WWAN issue I grumbled about elsewhere but it's a Spark one, not Skinny, are those also unlocked, i.e. usable with non-Spark SIMs? Also, do you know how restricted the Spark firmware is, and/or what level of hardware intervention is required for a reflash? I've found instructions in reflashing a slightly different model of 618 that looks like you just need to put it into DFU mode and reflash over USB.

Alternatively, if anyone's got an unlocked 618 or similar sitting around gathering dust...

Jiriteach

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#2977958 5-Oct-2022 20:14

You can use them with non-Spark sims but they are locked to the 4G network so 4G coverage is required.

The only reason to reflash would be to apply firmware from another country that allows 3G and 4G if your 4G coverage isnt great - its a right pain to do and actually not worth the effort. Apart from this - there isnt really any purpose as you have to use firmware created for the device and most of the other country providers have the defaults.

I have a couple of them - but its in the unused toy cupboard so mission to find!

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

neb

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#2977967 5-Oct-2022 20:48

Ah, good to know, thanks. I just need it as a slightly less clunky 4G modem than an old cellphone, so as long as the basics are available it should be fine. If you do happen to dig on one up I'd be interested, the one I've been offered is also a if-and-when-I-can-find-it :-).

1024kb

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#2978504 7-Oct-2022 11:58

Get yourself one for free at the local library. Walk in, ask for Skinny Jump. Free modem, no contract, 30GB free every month & they're not locked to the Skinny network.

Megabyte - so geek it megahertz

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neb

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#2978645 7-Oct-2022 14:42

1024kb: Get yourself one for free at the local library. Walk in, ask for Skinny Jump. Free modem, no contract, 30GB free every month & they're not locked to the Skinny network.

Thanks, but the T&C says you need to return it if you discontinue the service and they also mention that it's set up to help low-income people and similar so it seems a bit dickish to take advantage of that. I'll just source a used B618 from somewhere.

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