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Vodafone USB 3G modem prepaid 3GB confirmed $24.50 @ coles

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Vodafone USB 3G modem prepaid 3GB confirmed $24.50 @ coles
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Lbargaino on 08/12/2010 - 20:56 coles.com.au (1491 clicks)
Last edited 09/12/2010 - 14:45

EDIT: sorry about all the edits. Was worrying over nothing. It really is 3GB.
Modems offered to me were Huawei K3765 and ZTE k3571-z.
The Huawei is good, but the ZTE is only 3.6Mb and no hsupa, 2100 only.

"Half-price Vodafone Prepaid Mobile Broadband $24.50".
According to the Vodafone website, it includes 3GB of data to use in 30 days.
In this week's Coles catalogue 9-15 December, page 12. I can't believe it was not mentioned in the weekly Coles ozbargain post.

Huawei K3765 is 7.2 down, HSUPA, 900/2100 . Locked to Voda, but easily unlocked, according the interweb.

Computing 3G Mobile Broadband Plan Modem Prepaid Mobile Plan Vodafone

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  • systmworks on 08/12/2010 - 21:02

    Are these locked to Vodaphone or can you put other sims in them ?

    • camelgrass on 08/12/2010 - 21:23
      +1

      They are usually locked but you can probably buy an unlock from eBay, should be no more than $5.

  • iamtapu on 08/12/2010 - 21:02

    could not find Coles catalogue 9-15 December.

    • bargaino on 08/12/2010 - 21:13

      Page 12, between Inception DVD, and a $29 DVD player. Maybe it is WA only?

      • iamtapu on 08/12/2010 - 21:22

        epic fail for me I guess.
        Tried with a WA postcode. The only cataloge was "Starts 02 Dec - Ends Today"
        :(

  • portmac on 08/12/2010 - 21:39
    +1

    Yep, it's unlockable, and "debrandable"…..

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1369131

    …. I used a similar process recently to debrand/unlock my Huawei 3 modem.

    • portmac on 08/12/2010 - 23:11

      …. of course we would need to confirm that it is indeed the Huawei K3765 first.

      According to the Vodafone website, it includes 3GB of data to use in 30 days.

      There is also stock floating around that offers only 1GB in the first month….will be interesting to see if it is the 1GB or the 3GB!

  • chyawala on 09/12/2010 - 07:21

    Great deal, yet its only cheaper to stock up on modems instead of recharging when your data usage is in that range of $25 worth per month, due to the 30 day expiry. I would only hesitate knowing this is Vodafone=not great coverage, and there may be more suitable plans with other ISPs.

  • YesPleaseThankYou on 09/12/2010 - 09:07

    Just remember that Vodafone is rolling out an 850 MHz network that this won't work on.

  • Teddo on 09/12/2010 - 09:09

    thanx. some at Warringah Mall.

  • Kaboda on 09/12/2010 - 09:15

    Vodafone has had massive 3G problems recently. If you read the posts on Whirlpool its not a good choice.

    • timhn on 09/12/2010 - 10:44
      +1

      Yep, I would hold off any 3G data purchase with Voda until their problems get fix. No point getting 3Gb/month and couldn't use 1/2 of it due to slow/drop out network issues.

      • camelgrass on 09/12/2010 - 17:44

        I'm in Brisbane. I've been downloading about 5GB a month for the last 6 months using the Vodafone cellular network. Yes there has been some issues at times, but lately it has been solid. Every mobile broadband network will have issues at times. If connection/speed is critical to you there is only one choice—Next G network.

        Otherwise, at the moment the Vodafone network is very usable. But as others have said, there have been considerable issues with the Vodafone network over the last 6 months or so but hopefully the worst is over.

  • coolsteps on 09/12/2010 - 12:02
    +1

    can anyone thats actually brought one today confirm that it includes 3GB of data to use in 30 days and not 1 gb when you activate it? how long do you have from the date of purchase to active it and still get the 3 gb of data?

    • inherentchoice on 09/12/2010 - 13:53

      I bought one (the zte k3571-z cricket promo version). It says this in the fine print on the pack:

      For details and current amounts of included data and TXT awarded with activiation, please consult vodafone.com.au.

      I'll presume that 3GB is correct, but do I really have to be the lab rat who's first to open and activate it?

    • enander on 09/12/2010 - 15:10
      +1

      I got one (and using it now), mine is a K3765 and it did come with 3gb of data to be used within 30 days.

      • inherentchoice on 09/12/2010 - 15:44

        Awesome deal. I think this is better than any of the mobile broadband options on Whirlpool's Broadband Choice.

  • dtwkwok on 09/12/2010 - 12:33
    +2

    Can I assume the deal for its USB prepaid modem will only be getting better. So 3 G would be the current data allowance.

  • bargaino on 09/12/2010 - 13:54

    I was offered two modems:
    - zte k3571-z - some sort of cricket special edition with 1GB included. Quick google says it has poor spec's.
    - Huawei K3765 - which appears to have NO included data, just a SIM starter pack with "Recharge not included" on the pack. But does 7.2 theoretical, HSUPA, and 900/2100.

    there was a DVD case promo material that said 1GB included.
    So if Voda advertise the $49 kit with 3GB, and Coles say half price, isn't there grounds for complaint here?

    • inherentchoice on 09/12/2010 - 14:05

      No, because yesterday coles were offering the same one for $49.

    • portmac on 09/12/2010 - 15:59

      @ Manic

      Just called Vodafone….they are saying that any sim that comes with a hardware starter pack (irrespective of hardware model) will come with 3GB in the first month for new connections. Apparently it used to be 1GB in the first month, but they have now upped it in recent months.

      The K3765 is certainly the better device…..7.2Mb V 3.6Mb.

  • Save Medicare on 09/12/2010 - 17:19
    +1

    I got the K3765 when it was $59 a few months ago, and I've been using it to text and call (got it unlocked for free) from my computer. definitely a cool product.

    • dtwkwok on 09/12/2010 - 22:11

      any suggestion on how to unlock?

  • iamtapu on 09/12/2010 - 19:21

    Yeah, would be nice if someone can confirm how long do you have from the date of purchase to activate the sim and still get 3gb.
    I would like to use this device, not now but on February when I will not have home internet access for about 20 days.
    This seems like a pretty good deal, if I can hold back the activation till February 2011 and still get 3 GB.
    Thanks for posting this Manic

    • portmac on 09/12/2010 - 19:45
      +1

      if I can hold back the activation till February 2011 and still get 3 GB.

      You won't have any issue activating the card at a later time….typically the cards have an expiration of ~2 years from manufacture.

      The only issue will if the 3GB promo is still on in Feb (or back to the 1gb). The guy from Vodafone said, there was planed end to the 3GB a this stage.

      • iamtapu on 09/12/2010 - 20:07

        Thanks for the reply. Guess I will have to bite the bullet and hope they will have the 3g(or maybe more than 3gb ) offer in Feb. Or would you guys recommend other options for me?
        All I need Wireless(3g) Internet access on the month of Feb as cheap as possible.
        or I could learn how to hack wifi security and use my neighbors internet for free. LOL.

        • portmac on 09/12/2010 - 20:25

          Even if it were only 1GB, you not going to find a cheaper option than this between now and Feb!

  • BlueSpruce on 09/12/2010 - 21:12

    Thanks for the post :)

  • iamtapu on 09/12/2010 - 22:12

    @portmac
    fair enough. Just bought one Huawei K3765.

    • portmac on 11/12/2010 - 00:04

      Nice buy! You can unlock it, and sell it on ebay for twice the price you paid for it once you use all the data.

  • yow on 10/12/2010 - 04:51

    How do you tell which modem?

    I had a look at the box, but it's all vodafone-branded, and I couldn't tell. I'm concerned because I want to use it with a eee PC 701 (with the stock Xandros install), and I don't think all usb modems will work with it.

    • bargaino on 10/12/2010 - 05:13

      The model is somewhere on the sticker with the barcode.
      Anything should work with Xandros, just install the usb-modeswitch package.
      Why not put ubuntu on the 701, BTW? I wasn't overly impressed with Xandros.

      • yow on 10/12/2010 - 05:21

        Thanks! So it will literally be "K3765" or "ZTE k3571-z" on the sticker?

        Are you using the modem with an eee PC?

        As for Xandros, firstly I'm nervous about all my data and the hassle of configuring everything; secondly, I tried ubuntu out on a usb stick, and it ran frustratingly slowly (maybe because not fully installed? or how it was configured?). However, I really should do so, because I can't upgrade to a modern browser (because xandrox has an old version of glibc), and more and more website are becoming slow/inaccessible. (OTOH, I mainly use it for my work, so making browsing difficult is arguably a benefit…)

  • BlueSpruce on 10/12/2010 - 09:22

    As I mentioned in my last comment, Thanks for the post. Its a great deal. But not so happy about Vodafone. Last night, there was low or no connectivity several times even if there were three or four bars showing connection (either 3g or HSPUA). I know it is a wireless internet!! I restarted and it worked well after a while except the last time. Vodafone needs to fix the connection problems or stops overselling it !!!

    • martin_henry on 10/12/2010 - 11:11

      Whereabouts do you live / use the modem?

      • BlueSpruce on 10/12/2010 - 14:48

        Morningside, Inner city Brisbane Suburbs. Modem is K3765

    • bargaino on 10/12/2010 - 13:13

      Mine stopped working late last night, but is OK now. I hope that does not happen too often!
      It is a lot faster than Virgin/optus or Three here. Over 3Mbps on ozspeedtest .

      • BlueSpruce on 10/12/2010 - 14:51

        I am not yet sure if vodafone is any better than Virgin/Optus. I had been using virgin thorugh my mobile. It seems like the same. The new place Im moving into doesnt have optus network. So I guess I have to stick with either vodafone or Telstra (!!).

  • siuol on 10/12/2010 - 09:22

    Most of the prepaid broadband are 3.6M anyway…. 7.2M will be overkilled.

    So does not really matter whether it's huawei or ZTE.

  • POWERevolution on 10/12/2010 - 11:20

    Can I use this USB and put my voda mobile sim plan with 2GB data /month to use on laptop?

    • dtwkwok on 10/12/2010 - 11:56

      yes you can. you need to change the apn to afinternet.au though. For prepaid, the apn is vfprepaymbb.

      • bargaino on 10/12/2010 - 13:09

        Mine has "vfinternet.au" - that is the APN that came up automatically when I put the SIM in a phone.
        And it works with the modem. Does it make any difference over vfprepaymbb ?

  • shawn_low on 10/12/2010 - 23:47

    Went to local Coles and picked up one. Lady looked around in cupboard and returned with the ZTE k3571. I asked I'd there was the Huawei. She paused then said No. But I suspect they clearly had the Huawei because i saw two lists of mobile broadband modems when doing the paperwork. Each list had at least 5 more unsold numbers. She couldn't find my mobile number on the first list but it was on the second.

    Oh well. As long as I unlock it, I'll be happy.

  • portmac on 11/12/2010 - 00:03

    Anyone manage to find the Huawei K3765 in or around Syd? I checked all three coles in the Syd CBD today (world Sq, wynyard, central), and none of them had the K3765.

    • mily on 11/12/2010 - 16:50
      +1

      Went to a couple coles around Wollongong, seems only ZTE model in my area. I'll search a couple more and may end up with ZTE before the end of this sale.
      Is it possible to go any other store who come with Huaiwei modem and ask for a price match?

  • shawn_low on 11/12/2010 - 00:47

    Anyone has a link to a FREE method of unlocking the ZTE K3751? I found some links to a software called DC Crap but it lives up to its name. Doesn't detect the modem to unlock.

    The links floating around are to an older version of DC Crap that doesn't work. Leads appreciated.

  • yow on 11/12/2010 - 01:26

    Just some info: I was offered a ZTE k3571-z in a Melbourne Coles.

  • PaKoRa on 11/12/2010 - 13:04
    +1

    bought two of these; both unlocked in seconds..awesome. @ shawn_low use DCUnlocker to put into diagnostic mode then use DC crap. don't worry if your Modem is not listed it unlocks fine. then to get it out of diag mode at+zcdrun=f. if you wanna change dash put into diag mode again and backup your dash (will be iso format) then install generic dash for zte modems.(don't forget to get of out diag mode). [at commands entered in DC white status area - scrolling area giving for info.] have fun.

    • shawn_low on 14/12/2010 - 19:02

      @ botNET.

      Damn. I like tech but that's all Greek to me. I'll google it some more.

  • shopaholic32 on 15/12/2010 - 09:27

    @ botNET
    I agree, it sounded German or French to me, any chance you can help help in english less the jargon for the not too tech savvy Preety please. I bought the ZTE modem. Thank you.

  • shawn_low on 15/12/2010 - 09:41
    +1

    Unlocking the ZTE.

    1) Download DC Unlocker. Download DC Crap. Google it. You might have to join a forum to download the latter program.

    2) Run DC Unlocker. Put a different provider SIM card in the slot. Any sim will do. Run DIAGNOSTIC mode. Once done, close DC Unlocker.

    3) Run DC Crap. Click on auto-detect (magnifying glass icon). It will fine the modem but list it as Unknown. Click on Unlock (it's a tab on the right side).

    4) Enjoy.

    • dtwkwok on 15/12/2010 - 10:38

      Downloaded both DC unlocker and DC Crap. they are both the same program. dc-unlocker_client-1.00.0565.exe uncompressed to dc-crap.

      • shawn_low on 17/12/2010 - 10:06

        No, they seem the same but are different.

        Get the DC Unlocker from the official site. You need both to unlock the modem.

    • shopaholic32 on 15/12/2010 - 11:32

      AWESOME! Thanks Shawn_low!
      I will try later….maybe me just being paranoid, did anyone noticed any spyware with some of these freebies program when you install them? Much appreciated,Cheers.

      • shawn_low on 17/12/2010 - 10:04

        No spyware on mine.

  • dtwkwok on 15/12/2010 - 10:46

    do you need to buy credit from DC Unlocker? and I suppose you need a imei to calculate the unlock code too.

    • shawn_low on 17/12/2010 - 10:05
      +1

      Yes you do. But follow my instructions (you need to google to find DC Crap) and you won't need to buy credit.

      You need to download both DC Unlocker (free to download) and google for DC Crap.

  • stuart1000 on 18/12/2010 - 08:50

    I bought the k3571-z and have been trying to unlock it with dc-unlocker for 3 days now. I am using the newest version and have tried it on each of my three computers, ie windows 7 and xp machines. Every time I click on the magnifing glass it comes up with the error "card not found". I havent got the vodafone software running at the time, I don't know how some of you have unlocked it so easily. Any suggestions?

    • dtwkwok on 18/12/2010 - 09:52

      No one here has unlocked the ZTE modem, not that can be replicated by others.

  • dtwkwok on 18/12/2010 - 10:42

    Ok I have just tested the zte modem with dc-unlocker client, it is unlocked. So you dont have to unlock it. However, the vodafone connect client checks my 3 sim and say it is not a unrecognised sim. So back to square one, need to find a generic zte connection software.

  • dtwkwok on 18/12/2010 - 11:25

    Guys, just been able to use the zte modem for 3, away from the evil vodafone restriction. To do this you have to uninstall vodafone driver because it check for vodafone sim and rendered it not workable. You instead download 3's connect manager which has also included generic zte modem driver. http://three.cachefly.net/Software/MBB/MF627/MF627%20Windows…. Make sure uninstalled vodafone driver by going to device manager. Then go to c:\program files\3 mobilebroadband folder and install driver by clicking USBDriverInstaller_x86.exe. It will install the generic driver and please check the device manager to confirm a generic driver is there. Then you can use the 3 connection manager and modify whatever carrier and their apn to connect.

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