Yeah Optus can suck where I live, but it's honestly not that bad.
Their customer service is balls though…abjectly awful.
Do you know if it's still unlocked?
I remember the days when it was bundled with 4GB of data over 14 days.
Bought one back in December and it was unlocked.
Awesome!
Bought one last month, used the Optus data, chucked the sim then put in my Telstra data share sim and it worked with any extra config.
Cheers!
Unpacked the modem yseterday, jammed in Telstra SIM, worked straight away, no config or anything required on the unit's web gui - so definitely appears unlocked.
The one I bought years ago from BIGW is unlocked.
How does the WiFi range on this compare to a regular smartphone?
This depends on how good your phone wifi is as well. For me I have this 4G router in the lounge and can connect fine in middle bedroom, too far for back bedroom. Similar to bluetooth strength. You can add twin antenna as well but have never tried this and not sure if it helps reception or transmission.
Can the devices that are connected on this network connect to each other? I'd like to have something that allows me to access files on one device from another, to do this they need to be on the same network and visible to each other.
i will test this tonight and get back to you
I'm trying to get an Optus ZTE MF920V unlocked (started a forum topic for advice), have tried paying for NCKs but no luck, found a free online ZTE NCK/SPCK generator and will give it a go this afternoon once I pick up another SIM.
Any thoughts re unlocking network branded modems?
I have a Telstra branded modem - bought nearly two years ago. Rebranded Netgear "4Gx Advanced II" similar to yours. Was/is really good still, but got this Optus modem rather than paying some random person on the interwebs or Telstra to unlock the old modem. Rationale - for less than $30 I got 4Gb of data for a month plus an unlocked modem with a new battery chucked in for good measure.
Basically, good luck with trying to unlock your modem, but sometimes it's simpler just to move on. ;-)
May have been OzBargained… at least when I went to a few shops around Kew and Camberwell they were all sold out.
got last one at Coles, Broadway (Sydney) yesterday - will test and update if it's unlocked.
Noticed in the new weekly catalogue (starting tomorrow), looks like the same item price special is extended til next week too, which is good for those that missed out ;)
Unpacked the modem, jammed in Telstra SIM, worked straight away, no config or anything required on the unit's web gui - so definitely appears unlocked.
Also can confirm that my device was not locked. Have used a Simtel card in it in Singapore, and now it's running a Vodafone sim. No config changes with either - simply worked. Battery life is not fantastic, but on the flip side it's small and light. I can always plug it into a Xiaomi battery pack if I need to use it for an extended period.
I would like to use it as everyday modem with $70 Optus mobile broadband.
Can I just live plugged in all the time?
Yes
Thanks
Is that because the Optus network is so sloooowww, that you couldn't possibly get 4GB over 28 days ???