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Hi Guys,
I'm considering switching to Vodafone for my mobile broadband service ...
I already have the modem, etc, so I just require the SIM (PAYG). How and where does one order the SIM alone? ... I've looked all around the Vodafone site but can't seem to find them.
The mobile broadband equipment that the SIM will be used with is my In-Car WiFi, using the following:
Would a Vodafone SIM work ok in this setup?
I'm currently using a 3 SIM, which works fairly well. How does Vodafone compare in terms of speed and coverage?
Also, would a Vodafone SIM allow the equipment to reach its maximum speed of 7.2Mbps?
Many thanks
I'm considering switching to Vodafone for my mobile broadband service ...
I already have the modem, etc, so I just require the SIM (PAYG). How and where does one order the SIM alone? ... I've looked all around the Vodafone site but can't seem to find them.
The mobile broadband equipment that the SIM will be used with is my In-Car WiFi, using the following:
- A Netgear MBR624GU 3G wireless router.
- An unlocked Huawei E169 (also known as a Vodafone K3520, I believe), with an external antenna.
Would a Vodafone SIM work ok in this setup?
I'm currently using a 3 SIM, which works fairly well. How does Vodafone compare in terms of speed and coverage?
Also, would a Vodafone SIM allow the equipment to reach its maximum speed of 7.2Mbps?
Many thanks
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Heya House,
Firstly I would like to offer a very warm welcome to the Vodafone eForum from all of the eForum Team.
Its Always great to see someone looking at joining the Vodafone family.
In relation to your query, at the moment there isn't any way to purchase a PAYG Broadband SIM without the modem.
When looking at a different Modem, we wouldn't be able to guarantee it would work due to the non standard access points that it uses, personally I would only advise using the modem directly connected to a laptop as I'm not too sure how it would work if connected via an in-car router due to port blocking on the router.
If you wish to see what our coverage is like you can do this on our coverage checker online.
James
eForum Team
Firstly I would like to offer a very warm welcome to the Vodafone eForum from all of the eForum Team.
Its Always great to see someone looking at joining the Vodafone family.
In relation to your query, at the moment there isn't any way to purchase a PAYG Broadband SIM without the modem.
When looking at a different Modem, we wouldn't be able to guarantee it would work due to the non standard access points that it uses, personally I would only advise using the modem directly connected to a laptop as I'm not too sure how it would work if connected via an in-car router due to port blocking on the router.
If you wish to see what our coverage is like you can do this on our coverage checker online.
James
eForum Team
Hi - Ok - You cant buy a Payt modem sim separatly - I'd just use the modem "As Is" - the only problem would be the apn it uses.. Hopefully you can set it in the router - if you can, dont see any problem with using it in the way you intend..
As for the coverage & speed - Youd have to look on the coverage checker - speeds vary, but 7.2 is only available in builtup areas - most of the time you'll get 1-3mbps - 7.2 rarely..
As for the coverage & speed - Youd have to look on the coverage checker - speeds vary, but 7.2 is only available in builtup areas - most of the time you'll get 1-3mbps - 7.2 rarely..
Thanks very much for the reply and the welcome James! 
Seriously!? There's no way to purchase/order a SIM on its own!? Why's that?
Thanks for the advice.
However ... the main reason for using a router is to get away from the limitations and problems of plugging a modem directly into a laptop: The router solution allows passengers to share files and an internet connection the moment they are in range of the WiFi, without having to plug anything in or install/run anything. Plus the 'installed' modem makes using an installed external aerial simpler (this particular vehicle has an all-aluminium body which means that signal reception for mobile phones, broadband, satnav, etc are greatly attenuated if an external aerial is not used).
I have been using this configuration for a few months now, with good results. I have no problems configuring router ports either (I'm a network engineer and 'IT guy', so configuring routers is something I'm very familiar with). I appreciate that you cannot guarantee that the SIM would work with the modem (though it works fine with both 3 and O2 SIMs), and I'm willing to take that chance to try it (assuming I can get hold of a Vodafone SIM somehow!) - I just wondered if there are any known issues or experiences using Vodafone SIMs/modems with a Netgear 3G router.
Anyway, if the SIMs aren't available I guess it's a bit of a non-starter!
Do you know when the SIMs will be available?
Also, I've seen the SIMs for sale on the likes of eBay. Can we assume that such SIMs are in fact incorrectly described mobile phone SIMs rather than mobile broadband SIMs?
Thanks again
Seriously!? There's no way to purchase/order a SIM on its own!? Why's that?
Thanks for the advice.
However ... the main reason for using a router is to get away from the limitations and problems of plugging a modem directly into a laptop: The router solution allows passengers to share files and an internet connection the moment they are in range of the WiFi, without having to plug anything in or install/run anything. Plus the 'installed' modem makes using an installed external aerial simpler (this particular vehicle has an all-aluminium body which means that signal reception for mobile phones, broadband, satnav, etc are greatly attenuated if an external aerial is not used).
I have been using this configuration for a few months now, with good results. I have no problems configuring router ports either (I'm a network engineer and 'IT guy', so configuring routers is something I'm very familiar with). I appreciate that you cannot guarantee that the SIM would work with the modem (though it works fine with both 3 and O2 SIMs), and I'm willing to take that chance to try it (assuming I can get hold of a Vodafone SIM somehow!) - I just wondered if there are any known issues or experiences using Vodafone SIMs/modems with a Netgear 3G router.
Anyway, if the SIMs aren't available I guess it's a bit of a non-starter!
Do you know when the SIMs will be available?
Also, I've seen the SIMs for sale on the likes of eBay. Can we assume that such SIMs are in fact incorrectly described mobile phone SIMs rather than mobile broadband SIMs?
Thanks again
Hi - Ok - You cant buy a Payt modem sim separatly - I'd just use the modem "As Is" - the only problem would be the apn it uses.. Hopefully you can set it in the router - if you can, dont see any problem with using it in the way you intend..
As for the coverage & speed - Youd have to look on the coverage checker - speeds vary, but 7.2 is only available in builtup areas - most of the time you'll get 1-3mbps - 7.2 rarely..
Thanks
Yes, the APN, username, password, etc are all configurable in the router.
I realise 7.2mbs is the 'up to' speed .... just wondered if the PAYG SIMs were good for that speed. Though since they're not available, I guess the question is kind of moot
Hi House
The simple answer here would be no not that we are aware of but its not something we have been asked that frequently
Currently there is no plan to make SIM only broadband packages, James is right we can only sell the SIM with the dongle.
We are aware that companies do sell these on Ebay but we cant guarantee that these will be configured with the correct APN's to work
If there is anything else you know where to come.
Matthew
eForum Team
I just wondered if there are any known issues or experiences using Vodafone SIMs/modems with a Netgear 3G router.
The simple answer here would be no not that we are aware of but its not something we have been asked that frequently
Currently there is no plan to make SIM only broadband packages, James is right we can only sell the SIM with the dongle.
We are aware that companies do sell these on Ebay but we cant guarantee that these will be configured with the correct APN's to work
If there is anything else you know where to come.
Matthew
eForum Team
Ok, Thanks Matthew
