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pkb

pkb

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#157437 1-Dec-2014 14:46
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I'm travelling and have just bought a new modem stick to use during the trip.   It will connect when I plug it into my macbook, but the connection it finds is GPRS and extremely slow to the point of crawling.    My phone is able to find a 3G signal without any problems.     Are there any good ways to diagnose what is going on?   It's a bit frustrating.  Thanks!

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Demeter
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  #1186426 1-Dec-2014 14:50
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Hi there, could you give us an indication of whereabouts you are please? It might pay to check if you are able to get adequate 3G coverage in your area. https://www.vodafone.co.nz/network/coverage/

Edit: Sorry I missed the bit where you said your phone connects fine to 3G. Trying to find out if there's an issue with this Vodem model for you now.



Demeter
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  #1186430 1-Dec-2014 14:59
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Did you purchase this device in the UK? Looks like it supports Quad-band GSM on 850, 900, 1800, 1900 Mhz.  From what I can see, that's part of the problem, because you're getting a 2G connection on our network because it doesn't support the needed frequency for 3G. :(

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/roaming/welcome-to-nz/

The important bit:

Information about our network Vodafone's mobile network operates on the following frequencies:

 

  • A 2G GSM voice network on 900/1800MHz (almost every GSM mobile should work on these frequencies)
  • A 2G GPRS data network on 900/1800MHz
  • A 3G UMTS data network for voice, video calls and data on 2100MHz
  • A 3G HSDPA network on 2100MHz
Sorry about that :(

Edit to include link the device specs: http://www.vodafone.com/content/dam/group/devices/downloads/k4607z/device_specifications_k4607-z.pdf

pkb

pkb

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  #1186432 1-Dec-2014 15:09
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I bought it at the Vodafone store in Pukekohe last week with its nice 5G data package included.   Nothing to do with the UK - so that can't be the issue, can it?



Demeter
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  #1186438 1-Dec-2014 15:21
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Nope, definitely not. Hang on a sec, I'll wrangle @johnr, he knows the mobile stuff a lot better than me!

ckc

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  #1186439 1-Dec-2014 15:23
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Are VF really selling a NZ prepay dongle that doesn't support 2100mhz?

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileInternetDetails.jsp?skuId=sku500383&hardwareSkuId=&menuKey=&selectedView=&selectedTab=technicalSpecifications&selectedPlanSkuId=&selectedPriceTab=&ignoreCartContent=

johnr
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  #1186444 1-Dec-2014 15:33
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Disconnect from the internet and lock the modem to 3G only in the Vodafone dash board and see if it picks up 3G then,


pkb

pkb

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  #1186451 1-Dec-2014 15:55
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By Vodafone dashboard do you mean the Vodafone Mobile Broadband software?  I don't see an option to lock the network - where do I find that?

 
 
 

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johnr
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  #1186468 1-Dec-2014 16:32
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Yes I mean in the Vodafone mobile Broadband software, You will find it in the options but you need to be disconnected

pkb

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  #1187620 3-Dec-2014 08:04
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OK, so I've chewed through all the 3G data on my phone and am trying again!   Exactly which option do I look at to find the setting to lock to 3G?   I've clicked on every menu and drop down and can't for the life of me find it.  Do you have an idiot's guide?!


johnr
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#1187647 3-Dec-2014 08:56
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pkb:
OK, so I've chewed through all the 3G data on my phone and am trying again!   Exactly which option do I look at to find the setting to lock to 3G?   I've clicked on every menu and drop down and can't for the life of me find it.  Do you have an idiot's guide?!



Are you located in Auckland?

pkb

pkb

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  #1188395 4-Dec-2014 05:50
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Now I'm back home and no longer need it, I've fixed the problem.    While messing around with the connection I ended up being directed to the "Vodafone Quick Start" web page and on this page I noticed a "settings" tab for the first time.    This led me to a connection setting that was on "GPRS Only".    Now I've changed to "3G Preferred" everything is fine again.

So - my confusion was in looking for a way to set that option in the Mobile Broadband software itself, rather than on the webpage http://192.168.9.1/home.htm.    I'm not sure how the setting "GPRS only" got set in the first place.

Thanks for all the help.

pkb

pkb

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  #1188455 4-Dec-2014 08:48
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However.... every time I remove the device then plug it back in the setting drops back to "GPRS Only".   Stupid thing.

johnr
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  #1188461 4-Dec-2014 08:57
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pkb: However.... every time I remove the device then plug it back in the setting drops back to "GPRS Only".   Stupid thing.


Have you checked you have the latest version of the dashboard software? I have never heard or seen this before after 10 years of playing around with the software

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