ADSL & 3G Router with Telecom

Forums › Spark New Zealand › ADSL & 3G Router with Telecom

JacksonL

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 82080 21-Apr-2011 09:44

Living a bit rurally our ADSL line is rather dicy so we use a Sierra 885 modem for the times when our landline doesn't function. This is connected to an aerial on the roof (used an old pole that held TV stuff previously) and we get great reception.

This is all fine when the modem is plugged directly into the PC and we get between 2 and 3Mbps which is better than we get on ADSL.

I have a Netcomm 3G18Wn which allows us to have both ADSL and 3G plugged in to the router and it uses the 3G when there is no connection to ADSL - great idea. I have no problem seeing the connection but can't get it to work - the 3G Sierra stick is compatible too. Interesting I tried to send an SMS from the 3G connection and it worked fine.

When the 3G modem was plugged directly into the PC we accessed the internet via the little app "3G watcher" but this app has no idea what is going on in the router.

Any ideas please - telecom are of little to no help.

Incidentally as a next step though I should get a wireless router that has an ADSL modem internally and this would save an extra device but appears as though the Netcomm 3G15Wn isn't compatible with the Sierra 885 - rather odd all of this.

Ragnor

8025 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 387

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 461359 21-Apr-2011 15:48

It sounds like an issue with the Netcomm 3G15WM, I would double check the settings/config in that device.

You could try Netcomm/Dynalink tech support via online chat or their 0800 #
http://www.dynalink.co.nz/contact

Bold

30 posts

Geek

Reply # 462293 25-Apr-2011 22:35

I use a Netcomm 3g18wn with a Sierra 885 USB modem as our home internet.

You need to login to web interface to enter the settings for the 3g connection. The manual will explain how to get to the web interface, but if you have any specific questions feel free to ask me :)

The first thing you might want to check is the firmware version, you should update to the latest from the dynalink site.

Here is a screenshot of what the status page should look like in the web interface.

You should see the details of the T-stick under connection status if everything is working.

Next check the settings page, it needs to look like this:

PLEASE NOTE where my details say 'direct.telecom.co.nz' you should enter 'internet.telecom.co.nz' Either should work, but internet.telecom.co.nz is more secure.

If you have any other questions, let me know :)

JacksonL

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 468241 12-May-2011 12:11

Thanks for that. This works perfectly now.

Well not quite perfectly because the Sierra Compass 885 (not U) works perfectly in the Netcomm 3G18Wn but won't work when directly into our PC or laptop when at home - connects fine but data won't tranfer either up or down. It does work when in Auckland city.

Have been working with Telecom 2nd tier support and it seems that this modem only works with the 3G Watcher when the frequency is 2100MHz not at 850MHz (this is what the towers are around us at home). Very interesting - I am told the a new software tool has been developed and it is now in beta testing that should help with the problem so I imagine that others have had a few problems along similar lines.

BarTender

2360 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 782

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 468306 12-May-2011 14:19

JacksonL: Thanks for that. This works perfectly now.

Well not quite perfectly because the Sierra Compass 885 (not U) works perfectly in the Netcomm 3G18Wn but won't work when directly into our PC or laptop when at home - connects fine but data won't tranfer either up or down. It does work when in Auckland city.

Have been working with Telecom 2nd tier support and it seems that this modem only works with the 3G Watcher when the frequency is 2100MHz not at 850MHz (this is what the towers are around us at home). Very interesting - I am told the a new software tool has been developed and it is now in beta testing that should help with the problem so I imagine that others have had a few problems along similar lines.

I would try downloading the Generic Dialer from Sierra Wireless's site. It works a treat and the 885 works fine on both 850 & 2100. They a great cards IMHO.

JacksonL

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 468588 13-May-2011 08:49

Telecom have a new app launched yesterday that 2nd tier support suggested I use. It is great and works for managing ADSL and 3G.

http://www.telecom.co.nz/connectme

I can now manage all internet connections through this app. Its only just out of Beta testing - yesterday - so has one or two foibles but these are easily overcome even by someone with only small IT skills, but I like it and it has fixed the problems that I had previously. In their blurb Telecom state the mobile devices "Connect Me" work for but I think it applies to a few more than that - my Sierra Compass 885 isn't 'approved' but works well.

I have a much better speed via XL than I do via our ADSL line - something like 2x as download and 4x upload - but this is connected to an aerial on the roof from Tennatron in Motueka (better than -55dBm signal compared to ~ 95dBm without the aerial). Seems a good solution for those a bit rurally challenged who have a Telecom cell tower within a reasonable distance.