Huawei B535-333 router and unlimited data SIM problem

[SamMcM]

I’ve got a 5G GigaCube and unlimited data plan. It works OK, but I’m not getting great throughput, and it swings about a lot. There’s no 5G where I live, and it seems I’m on the margin with 4G. To try to improve things, I had planned to add a pair of external antennae. However it seems that the external connectors only connect to the 5G hardware. Instead, I got hold of an unlocked Huawei B535-333 4G wireless router (though it’s unbranded) and a pair of antennae. Inserted the Vodafone SIM, powered up, and all the right lights came on to show that the router was connected and receiving a strong 4G signal. However, there’s zero internet connectivity. The router status shows that it’s registered to Vodafone and connected. I checked the APN settings and they’re the same as the GigaCube (APN wap.vodafone.co.uk, user name and password both “web”, authentication PAP).

I switched the router to manual network search, which showed (among others) Vodafone 4G, and Vodafone 3G. If I select Vodafone 3G I get a connection, though at best around 12 or 13 mbps as it’s 3G. If I select Vodafone 4G I get zero. In both cases the router shows as being connected to Vodafone.

So either I’m missing something, or the hardware is faulty. Can anyone suggest what else I can try to figure out what’s wrong, and hopefully fix it.

My starting assumption is that the SIM card should work in any unlocked wireless router, so long as the correct network APN etc. are used. Maybe that’s not the case.

[AnnS]

I suspect your problem here will be the router software, although not a Vodafone supported device, you can download the required software to enable you to connect to the internet by following this link: Mobile Broadband Software 

If this does not solve your problem, try Customer Service or live chat channels, they should be able to connect you to the Technical Team, there is also the Social Team for help and advise here: Contact Us 

[SamMcM]

@AnnS thanks for following up. I checked the link, but couldn't see anything there that would help unfortunately.

[SamMcM]

I tried my mobile SIM (from Virgin Mobile) in the router. It was able to connnect to 4G (Vodafone I think it is) and gave a good connection. So the router hardware is fine, but for some reason the Vodafone SIM won’t correctly allow it to connect to a working 4G connection.

[Amanda]

Hi there @SamMcM 👋

I think what we need to do is to test another Vodafone SIM in the Gigacube that we supplied, to rule out any faults - the easiest way for us to do that if you don't have one available, is to send you a new SIM out. 

So we can do that, please drop my team a message over Facebook or Twitter - and if you remember to include a link back to your post, you won't need to explain things again 🙂

Prior to sending one out, we'll also be able to quickly double check everything's okay with your account and see how your current SIM's updating on the network. 

[SamMcM]

Hi @Amanda , yesterday I called the Vodafone mobile broadband support number (03333 040191) and explained the situation.  I was told that "because the SIM works in the GigaCube, there's nothing wrong with it, so the router must be faulty and I need to contact the manufacturer". Even after I explained that the Virgin Mobile SIM worked on both 3G and 4G in the router, I was given the same response. So I decided to return the router rather than end up in the middle of a finger pointing process.

Your suggestion sounds like a positive approach to a resolution, but unfortunately I no longer have the router. I'm left thinking that the SIM probably has something set that's preventing it enabling an internet connection after successfully registering with the 4G network. Am I right in assuming that the SIM should be useable in any unlocked mobile broadband router?

[Effie]

The SIM should work fine in any unlocked mobile broadband device @SamMcM 

I appreciate that you no longer have the device but the Social Media team will be able to run some quick checks on the SIM itself to make sure it is registered and connecting to the network correctly. 

[AnnS]

@Effie 

Although the GigaCube SIM will work in an alternative device, it mentions on the  GigaCube Terms and Conditions the 'Vodafone SIM included in the
GigaCube is intended for exclusive use with the GigaCube so please do not use it in any other
device as you will be charged accordingly'.

Just wouldn't like to think the customer would be charged extra for using the SIM in a router.

[SamMcM]

Does anyone know how this would work in reality? It seems unreasonable that I'm paying a hefty monthly amount for a plan that I can't use with whatever device I choose. The plan cost already factors in paying for the GigaCube over 24 months, so it's not as if it's free.

[Pluginz]

If your APN settings for data are set to,  wap.vodafone.co.uk, it would be firstly a good idea to see if you can actually ping that address. 

In Windows the command prompt gives you the ability to see if you can connect to an address by pinging it.  Its a simple process and proves whether your connection is going to the right place.

Windows command prompt, type

ping vodafone.co.uk

If that doesnt work, theres your problem.