Vodafone Pre-Loaded Data-Only SIMs for Vodafone K5161 Data Dongle?

[Nimbus1]

Hello All

I originally purchased a Vodafone K5161 Data Dongle from Argos which included a pre-loaded 15GB ‘data only’ SIM lasting for 90 days. Once the 90-day expiry was reached on the original SIM, I went into my local Vodafone shop and asked if there was a pre-loaded ‘data only’ SIM option with a much longer expiry time. The shop said they have a pre-loaded 24GB data only SIM option that lasts for 2 years. Perfect, for me as I use very little data, but need a long duration expiration time and purchased it for £45. This is the link to the Vodafone page showing the 5 options of pre-loaded data only SIMs available https://freesim.vodafone.co.uk/check-out-data

Looking at the Vodafone site today, I was unable to navigate to the page link above anymore. In the past if you chose to order a free data only SIM, it would take you first to the page above. Can I assume that these 5 data only SIM options are no longer available to purchase?

My current 24GB / 2 Year SIM is working fine, but I’m completely unaware of how I will be able to top up the data and/or increase the time on it in the future?

For people that use a Vodafone K5161 Data Dongle, what is the best PAYG pre-loaded data only SIMs available from Vodafone, that do not have a short time duration expiration? I do not want to have to contract into a pay monthly option.

Many thanks

[Jason]

Hey @Nimbus1. It's great to hear that you're continuing your Vodafone journey. In regards to your concerns raised of not being able to access the link provided in your initial message above, can you please elaborate on what seems to be the issue?

The reason I ask is because I've tested the link provided and I'm able to both access and navigate the web page absolutely fine - if you have any visual screenshots of an issue please don't hesitate to pop them over. 

[Nimbus1]

Thanks Jason for your reply.

The link I included in the post was a bookmarked page I had already saved some months ago, which appears to still be live within the Vodafone UK website. But is it 'really' still live?

What seems to be missing is how to navigate to this page from the www.vodafone.co.uk home page. There appears to be no way to navigate to the said page via the current Vodafone UK site, which leads me to believe that maybe these 5 data-only SIMs have been discontinued, but the web page is still active, but hidden, unless you happen to have the original URL to it.

Do you know how to navigate to the 5 data-only SIMs page, from the Vodafone home page? Maybe I missed a very subtle link somewhere?

Many thanks

[Nimbus1]

Hi Jason

I believe I’ve had a senior moment, as I have now found how to navigate to the page in question. (click on green circled links). Sorry for any confusion.

[Nimbus1]

Hi All

I have a K5161 Data Dongle, with a 24GB data SIM that lasts for 2 years.

Is anyone able to tell me how to top up these type of data SIMs within a data dongle? The Vodafone website seems to only have instructions for topping up data SIMs for phones.

I also need to find out the telephone number of the data SIM inside the data dongle, which also looks to be unclear how to do this as it’s not inside a phone.

Many thanks

[AnnS]

This is a difficult one for sure @Nimbus1 , you can top up the dongle here: Top up mobile broadband and purchase a data pack but you want this to last for 24 months.

This is going to be one for the Social Team again, they will be able to provide the answer you need.

[Nimbus1]

Thanks AnnS

I guess the questions are:

• Firstly, can you top up a 24GB, 24 Month, Data-Only SIM?
  • If Yes, what elements can be topped up:
    • Only the Data GBs of the SIM?
    • Both the Data GBs & extend the Expiry Time of the SIM?

Failing ether of the outcomes above, it may just be easier to purchase another brand new 24GB, 24 Month, Data-Only SIM, for my K5161 when needed in the future.

I’m not sure if the Vodafone ‘Data Packs’ are intended to work with the SIM used inside the K5161 Data Dongle. The ‘Data Packs’ appear to be intended for SIMs used inside mobile phones, hence they ask for the phones mobile number as part of the top up ordering. The K5161 is not a mobile phone and does not display a mobile number within the K5161 inbuilt software interface. (see below)

Thanks again for your help.

[Gemma]

@Nimbus1 - the only other way to find out the mobile number to the current SIM you've got, is to pop the SIM into a Vodafone compatible phone and dial *#100#. This would then display the number. A Vodafone store can do this for you, if you don't have a Vodafone phone. 

Alternatively, you could order the new SIM, by selecting the Data-only SIM. You can top up if needed at anytime. 

[Nimbus1]

Hi Gemma

Thanks for the *#100# suggestion.

Would you happen to know if when I top-up my data-only SIM with more data GBs, will this have any effect on the  SIMs expiry period e.g. 24 months, or is the SIM expiry period set in stone?

Thanks

[Effie]

Hey @Nimbus1 I hope you are well 😊 Your fixed term will continue until the end of the initial 24 months, adding more data won't reset this time scale 🙂