Payg Overseas Mobile Broadband

[sheira]

I have just bought a top up and go Mobile Broadband dongle with Vodafone. Is it tied to Vodafone? If I put another sim card for broadband into it would it work or can I get it unlocked? I travel to Australia and other countries for months at a time and have the option of using a local card. Is this possible?

Also could I use it - as it is - overseas? - it says not on the packaging. I only use it for collecting and sending emails from Outlook Express so it would not be cost prohibitive.

Thanks
Sheira

[Retired-Jon_V]

Hi Sheira,

Although the dongle is not tied to Vodafone UK, the software will only work with our network. In order to dial out using another SIM card, you would most likely need to use their connection management software or input their network settings manually.

Unfortunately this device cannot be used abroad with the supplied SIM, because roaming on these numbers is barred. This would not always be the case if you were to use another provider's SIM card or software.

Jon

eForum Team

[JockS]

Jon

If I were to use a Vodafone.nl pay as you go SIM card in my UK dongle would this work in the Netherlands?

Jock

[sheira]

Hi Sheira,

Although the dongle is not tied to Vodafone UK, the software will only work with our network. In order to dial out using another SIM card, you would most likely need to use their connection management software or input their network settings manually.

Unfortunately this device cannot be used abroad with the supplied SIM, because roaming on these numbers is barred. This would not always be the case if you were to use another provider's SIM card or software.

Jon

eForum Team

So do you mean that I don't have to unlock the dongle to use another sim card? As long as I have the other software/network settings I could make it work overseas.

[Retired-Adam_V]

Hi guys,

I'm happy to report that the dongle is not network locked so you will be able to put any SIM you like into the dongle. As Jon mentioned the Vodafone Mobile Connect software is for the Vodafone UK network only but with the appropriate settings/software from the network you wish to use you'll be able to go online. The same applies to Vodafone NL JockS but yes you will be able to use it in the Netherlands.

For anyone interested in going online with your laptop check out our Mobile Broadband deals!

Should you wish to provide any feedback on how I have addressed your query for you, then we have a short form to enable you to do that. It just takes a few minutes and any comments are appreciated.

Adam
eForum Team.

[JockS]

Hi guys,

I'm happy to report that the dongle is not network locked so you will be able to put any SIM you like into the dongle. As Jon mentioned the Vodafone Mobile Connect software is for the Vodafone UK network only but with the appropriate settings/software from the network you wish to use you'll be able to go online. The same applies to Vodafone NL JockS but yes you will be able to use it in the Netherlands.

Adam
eForum Team.

[JockS]

Hi
Many thanks for the inforation.
Being of somewhat advanced years and not very computer literate could you please clarify one point.
You say "appropriate settings/software from the network"
I have just purchased a laptop using Windows XP to enable me to access emails and weather forecasts. It works fine with the Vodafone GB dongle. Would a Vodafone.nl PAYG SIM card have these appropriate settings/software from the network inatalled or would I have to do something clever?

Sorry if this is a stupid question
Regards
Jock

[Retired-Jon_V]

Hi
Many thanks for the inforation.
Being of somewhat advanced years and not very computer literate could you please clarify one point.
You say "appropriate settings/software from the network"
I have just purchased a laptop using Windows XP to enable me to access emails and weather forecasts. It works fine with the Vodafone GB dongle. Would a Vodafone.nl PAYG SIM card have these appropriate settings/software from the network inatalled or would I have to do something clever?

Sorry if this is a stupid question
Regards
Jock

Hi Jock,

I'm afraid it's the latter. While the NL SIM card will automatically detect and register itself with the Netherlands network, when you come to make the actual internet connection, there is a good chance that our software will not have the right settings embedded in it, and it will fail.

You would need to contact the Netherlands network directly to obtain alternative software, or to obtain the settings for their network which you could then manually input into our software.

Jon

eForum Team