Vodafone Mobile Broadband - Can I Use A PAYG Dongle As Replacement For My Contract One?

[lizzyj4]

I have a white vodafone dongle, on contract, which unfortunately broke last night. My question is can I simply buy one of the PAYG dongles and transfer my sim card over as a replacement?

I'm reluctant to ask vodafone for a replacement, as my husband tried to do the same thing about 9 months ago and was charged £70 for a black pro dongle that has never worked. Visiting this forum I now see there are general problems with the black dongles. He's still struggling on with his own white dongle, which looks as if it has been kicked around a field a few times, but still just about works most of the time. So a PAYG dongle could be a good solution for both of us. Thanks!

[lizzyj4]

Update... I've now contacted vodafone support and here is what I've been told for anyone else in the same situation... it seems they won't send me a replacement anyway, because it was 'physical damage', which is fine, I don't mind paying for a new one (although how you can have something like that sticking out of your laptop and not cause some physical damage to it eventually is a mystery to me), but I can't buy one off them by phone either despite having a longstanding business contract. (??) I need to go into a shop to get one (our nearest vodafone store is many miles away), and one of the PAYG ones might work with my sim card, she thinks...but even after she went away to ask someone else, she wasn't that sure ... so that's helpful then...

[Retired-James]

Hi Lizzyj4,

I must admit that this is a bit of an awkward one, As we are unable to replace the unit, it means that you would have to purchase one, If you are able to get your hands on a PAYG dongle, it should work all be it with a little tweaking.

Basically as the two modems use different connection points it would mean that you will need to download a different version of the VMC software or use the existing software you have and tweak the connection to make sure it is using contract Internet/WAP rather than the PAYG varient.

Unfortunately I don't have a PATYG modem to test this for you so couldn't say for sure but we should still be able to set up a manual connection for you if needed.

James
eForum Team

[lizzyj4]

Hi Lizzyj4,

I must admit that this is a bit of an awkward one, As we are unable to replace the unit, it means that you would have to purchase one, If you are able to get your hands on a PAYG dongle, it should work all be it with a little tweaking.

Basically as the two modems use different connection points it would mean that you will need to download a different version of the VMC software or use the existing software you have and tweak the connection to make sure it is using contract Internet/WAP rather than the PAYG varient.

Unfortunately I don't have a PATYG modem to test this for you so couldn't say for sure but we should still be able to set up a manual connection for you if needed.

James
eForum Team

Hi James,

Thanks. Is it possible for me to buy an exact replacement for the dongle from somewhere? If so where? If not, why not?

If not, could you explain what the 'tweaking' of the PAYG dongle involves.

Linda

[Retired-Jon_V]

Hi James,

Thanks. Is it possible for me to buy an exact replacement for the dongle from somewhere? If so where? If not, why not?

If not, could you explain what the 'tweaking' of the PAYG dongle involves.

Linda

Hi Linda,

It is not possible to purchase a dongle from us, without also purchasing a SIM Card (PAYG) or another Contract. You can, however, buy SIM-free modems from third-parties, or, for example, from eBay.

When we talk about "tweaking" the modem settings, it is simply a case of changing a setting under "Manage Connections". You will need to change the APN to "internet" so that it uses the Contract settings correctly. Once that is done, you'll be able to use it as normal

Jon

eForum Team

[lizzyj4]

Hi Linda,

It is not possible to purchase a dongle from us, without also purchasing a SIM Card (PAYG) or another Contract. You can, however, buy SIM-free modems from third-parties, or, for example, from eBay.

When we talk about "tweaking" the modem settings, it is simply a case of changing a setting under "Manage Connections". You will need to change the APN to "internet" so that it uses the Contract settings correctly. Once that is done, you'll be able to use it as normal

Jon

eForum Team

Thanks Jon,

I've now bought a PAYG modem, and transferred my sim card over. Very pleased to say it works fine

I'd like to add that for anyone faced with a similar problem this is by far the most cost-effective solution (£25 from Tescos!). My other options were to buy out my current contract and start a new one (£82 and I was told there currently weren't any dongles in stock anyway) or buy a replacement from a vodafone shop which I understand would cost roughly the same (not to mention my nearest shop is about 28 miles away) . I'll be forever perplexed as to why I couldn't just buy a replacement over the phone from you for £25 tho'... 😕

Linda

[gaz23g]

why couldn't you buy a dongle over the phone?? i got my k4505 over the phone in feb or has policy changed?? this was to change from k3765