USB modem in the UK - what do I need

[pjames]

Hi,

I live in Germany and I'm going on holiday to the UK soon. I want to take my Laptop and a USB modem (Huawei E303) to use mobile broadband.
What do I need to buy in the UK? A normal Vodafone pay as you go SIM card? Can I buy this ( https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk/tablet-ipad-sim-card ) one at a vodafone shop (or even order it to Germany?), top it up with 5 pounds, get 250MB and then just use it? Do I need to install software from Vodafone UK?

I've never used a USB modem, so sorry for all these questions.

Thanks in advance.

[grolschuk]

That all sounds correct.

You will not be able to order one to Germany, so you will need to buy one in the UK

If you purchase from a VF store, they should be able to activate the SIM and set you on the correct PAYG deal before you leave the shop.

The one thing I would check is that your modem is not locked to a German network, and stop any others working in it. (not often the case but it may happen)

[headcheese · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I totally agree with all that grolschUK wrote in the previous post.

It's always a good idea to check everything is working before you leave your home country. Provided that it is, all you should have to do is purchase a Vodafone UK sim card, top up, and then reconfigure the software you use to connect to use the APN, username and password associated with the Vodafone UK sim.

Provided the sim is mobile broadband orientated then the following should be all that you need:

APN: SMART

Username: web

Password: web

If the sim is handset orientated you shpould be able to use the following settings succesfully, but I would check the payment side ot things in store if I were you:

APN: pp.vodafone.co.uk

Username: web

Password: web

I hope that helps.

HC

[pjames]

Thank you. You helped me a lot!