Vodafone K5160 "apparently" 4G Extended USB Dongle

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Vodafone K5160 "apparently" 4G Extended USB Dongle

tknz

182 posts

Master Geek

#201899 8-Sep-2016 21:09

Hi All,

Just posting as i'm doing some testing on a Vodafone USB Dongle the k5160 which according to this link has "4g extended" ref: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileInternetDetails.jsp?skuId=sku950357

Well after doing some research and actual tests with the dongle received today firstly taking a look at the FCCID at the back which is QISK5160 it turns out that it does not have any 700mhz Frequencies ref: https://fccid.io/QISK5160

Then taking a drive to a relatively nearby 700mhz tower the dongle does not connect. It only connects to a 4g tower on 1800mhz.

Slightly frustrated so wondering if anyone else knows the deal?

That aside anyway I'm wondering if anyone can tell me their experience with connecting a standard Vodafone Data Sim into a B315s-607 Rural Broadband Modem and operating as a CPE around NZ?

Obvious Questions

* will the network accept any Vodafone SIM in the Device

* will the Device accept any Vodafone SIM

If Not - Maybe i'm better to buy an unlocked one. Perhaps even unlocking a Skinny $99 one may be the right way forward as it doesn't seem difficult to unlock.

Any knowledge on whether the devices are SIM locked would be useful too - and at what level based on operator or specific SIM.

thanks.

tangerz

625 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1628024 12-Sep-2016 17:42

Nowhere on the Vodafone site page you linked seems to give any indication that this is a "4G extended" device?!?

In fact on the 'Technical Specifications' page it clearly states:

GSM Band 850/900/1800/1900

As for using a standard Vodafone Data SIM in the B315s-607 Rural Broadband Modem, that should work fine. Using it in a Skinny Broadband Modem (B315s-608) should also be fine (it isn't locked) but just be aware it will only work with 4G LTE on frequencies 700/1800/2600 MHz (will also do 4G LTE on 850/2100 MHz if Spark ever decide to go there!)

tknz

182 posts

Master Geek

#1628119 12-Sep-2016 19:45

tangerz:

Nowhere on the Vodafone site page you linked seems to give any indication that this is a "4G extended" device?!?

Hey there - thanks! I should have updated my post, at the same time as creating my post I emailed the details to our enterprise account manager and solutions consultant at Voda. They updated their website that day - it was a typo - I just checked the google cache though and attached a pic of what it used to look like before they updated it.

Thanks for the info on the Skinny router - i'll grab one. (I also got our account manager to send me the Vodafone one which I think is the same)

tangerz

625 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1628317 13-Sep-2016 08:15

Tuikapo:

tangerz:

Nowhere on the Vodafone site page you linked seems to give any indication that this is a "4G extended" device?!?

Hey there - thanks! I should have updated my post, at the same time as creating my post I emailed the details to our enterprise account manager and solutions consultant at Voda. They updated their website that day - it was a typo - I just checked the google cache though and attached a pic of what it used to look like before they updated it.

Thanks for the info on the Skinny router - i'll grab one. (I also got our account manager to send me the Vodafone one which I think is the same)

Ahhh I see! They did have that one wrong then!

The Skinny router (B315s-608) and Vodafone router (B315s-607) are similar but NOT the same. They should both work with any SIM card but the Skinny one ONLY DOES 4G/LTE. The Vodafone one does both 3G and 4G/LTE so will work in areas that have 3G coverage but no 4G/LTE coverage.

tknz

182 posts

Master Geek

#1628960 13-Sep-2016 22:02

The Skinny router (B315s-608) and Vodafone router (B315s-607) are similar but NOT the same. They should both work with any SIM card but the Skinny one ONLY DOES 4G/LTE. The Vodafone one does both 3G and 4G/LTE so will work in areas that have 3G coverage but no 4G/LTE coverage.

Thanks for this info, this is perfect - and works out well for what i'm trying to do. Skinny modem with a personal Spark $5 data share SIM over at a boat club running a weather station and camera to look at the water. 700mhz 4G is present there. Then the vodafone router for testing of 3G / 4G work stuff around the country.

Should have all the kit this week! Cheers.