How to avoid data roaming disasters
3G dongle upgrade brings 7.2 Mbit/s and unlocking
WITH MOBILE broadband fast becoming commonplace, this INQ hack expected to be able to easily 'roam' onto 3G networks whilst on his Maltese hols. Actually, it worked only once.
However, the subsequent software fix for the Huawei E220 3G dongle in question has had some very surprising fringe benefits.
Not only has it raised the potential top data throughput from 3.6 Mbit/s to 7.2 Mbit/s, it also effectively unlocked the dongle from Vodafone.
Just as you can 'roam' onto a GSM voice network, theoretically it should be quite possible to do the same with a 3G broadband data connection. Especially since the island in question, Malta, has not one but two 3G networks.
The INQ managed a roamed broadband connexion once in Malta, and then had no luck again dispute numerous efforts. The kit in question was a typical Centrino Duo powered laptop from Advent and a Huawei E220 dongle supplied by 3 UK.
Malta pays host to a Vodafone 3G network as well as one from rival local supplier, Gomobile. The INQ achieved its one and only connection via Gomobile.
The trick is to go into the E220's software utility and create a new profile. The new profile should change the network selection setting over from automatic to manual.
Doing so, enabled the 3 UK dongle to obtain a 'roamed' connection on Gomobile. The INQ cannot be sure but it seems that the new profile should reflect Gomobile's APN, too.
Searching the web, the correct settings for Gomobile were found here. This shows the APN should have been set to gosurfing; while the username and password were both 'guest'.
The moral of the story is look this information up before you actually tra vel abroad. Guidance on broadband roaming is given on the Vodacom site in South Africa here.
The INQ noticed that upgraded firmware was supposed to be available for the E220 on the Vodacom site which would take effective throughputs speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s.
Sadly, the links on the relevant Vodacom page don't work so the INQ tried the official Huawei tech support site here. What a nightmare to navigate this site is.
For starters, there are three different files to download and no real guidance on which is best. Finally, the INQ identified the last option - E220 Client Software HOSTB107D05SP00C03 - as the best.
Huawei doesn't tell you this but these upgrades are supplied as compressed (.zip) files and you'll probably need a freeware unzip package, like 7zip, to get to them.
The final nightmare is trying to get the upgrade software to work. The solution is to plug the USB dongle in as normal. Let it load its associated app and then turn that app off.
This ensures the upgrade software can detect that the E220 is connected and off you go. The INQ tried this on an E220 supplied by Vodafone. It can now utilise a SIM from 3 UK, so effectively the dongle is now unlocked.
The upgrade to 7.6 Mbit/s works with any firmware version of 11.117.09.00.00 or above, incidentally.
All the INQ's got to do now is find a spot in London where the Vodafone or 3 network really is operating at 7.6 Mbit/s and see how well it performs. µ
Comments
gomobile
Although pay as you go, go mobile still costs about 10p per MB, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than roaming... sigh the ZTE modems still can't be unlocked :(7-Zip?
The article was reading well until I got to the part about .."Huawei doesn't tell you this but these upgrades are supplied as compressed (.zip) files and you'll probably need a freeware unzip package, like 7zip, to get to them."
Zip & Unzip functionality is a core Windows Explorer feature in XP and Vista, since October 25, 2001.. ..but who's counting?
Here in Canada, "Unlimited" = 5GB
There's a battle going on in Canada right now. The short version is that midget telco Telus is terminating all so-called "Unlimited" wireless data accounts. The real issue is that Telus naively contracted some of their EV-DO 3G coverage with a competing carrier (stoopid! stoopid! stoopid!). And so any client that is using more than about 5GB per month under their expensive so-called "Unlimited" data plan is getting terminated.Google the terms: Telus "Connect 75 Unlimited" for the details if you're interested and/or are affected and need to learn how to file a formal complaint.
Another E220 thing
I had major trouble with an E220. Being from good ol' South Africa I also went through the same websites, with the same conclusions.Anyway here was my problem plus solution. E220 refused update firmware.
Answer was to never run AnyDVD. It messed with the way the E220 installs it software through a virtual CD-ROM drive, and AnyDVD attempts to make the drive region-free.
7.2 Mbit HSDPA
Hi Tony,come visit Austria, you'll get your 7.2 MBit fix...by Vodafone (Telekom Austria, a partner network), no less. We have several 3G data providers as well, with various PAYG options. You can also buy unlocked 3G dongles here for under 100€, for example at Hofer/Aldi (home of Medion).