Coles: 50% off Virgin USB Wireless Modems (Unlockable) $24.50 Inc. 4GB Data [Starts Thurs. 27th]

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Coles: 50% off Virgin USB Wireless Modems (Unlockable) $24.50 Inc. 4GB Data [Starts Thurs. 27th]

portmac on 25/01/2011 - 15:34 virginmobile.com.au (1573 clicks)
Last edited 25/01/2011 - 21:29

The half price USB Virgin wireless modem promotion is on again (starts Thursday). This prepiad package includes 4GB of data to be used in the first month.

The modem is an E160e which can be easily unlocked (for FREE) and used on all networks (except Telstra). The device can also use your mobile phone Sim (if you have an included data component).

Obtain the unlock Code from here: http://a-zgsm.com/huawei.php?act=submit

Virgin uses the Optus Network.

Not available Tas. Limited to one per customer in other states (except SA).

Computing Dongle E160e Modem Virgin Mobile

28 Apr 2014

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Virgin Mobile

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nubzy on 25/01/2011 - 15:36

sounds good will consider picking this up. I got a big laptop at the moment so might have to look for a little netbook or something to use it on too.
jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:37

can this be used on the Telstra network ??? i thought they used different frequencies ???
- lazed on 25/01/2011 - 15:45
  
  Doesn't do UMTS 850 so not compatible with NextG
  - jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:46
    
    thanks…
- portmac on 25/01/2011 - 15:47
  
  +1
  
  Ta….was ment to put "except telstra". However, the e160e will work with Telstra's 2100 MHz service but not their 850MHz NextG Service.
  
  Telstra GPRS services will work fine with the e160e.
  - jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:52
    
    might sell mine then and upgrade to a Telstra one :S
  - lazed on 25/01/2011 - 15:56
    
    the main attraction of telstra is the superior next g network (850)
jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:47

does anyone recommend a good external aerial for this modem… Virgin mobile reception is crap…
- portmac on 25/01/2011 - 15:51
  
  Virgin uses the optus network.
  - jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:52
    
    i know…
    
    it is really crap reception in some places in inner melbourne and on the mornington peninsula…
    - camMMM on 25/01/2011 - 17:43
      
      i was using this in sorrento and found it to be very good. Reception was like 3 bars.
  - jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:53
    
    also, virgin told me they don't cover all areas covered by Optus…
- ESEMCE on 25/01/2011 - 15:52
  
  -1
  
  err, Virginmobile reception is the same as Optus…
  - jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:56
    
    +1
    
    not according to Virginmobile reps it's not…
  - jv on 25/01/2011 - 15:58
    
    +1
    
    excerpt from email i received…
    
    Response (Kimche L.) 19/08/2010 08.35 AM
    Hi JV,
    
    Thanks for your email.
    
    Though the Virgin Mobile uses the Optus network, we are still an independent company with independent processes and procedures. We only use a certain amount of bandwidth from Optus network, therefore, there might be some areas that Optus covers and we do not.
    - lazed on 25/01/2011 - 16:02
      
      +1
      
      Seems to be backed up by this:
      
      http://whrl.pl/Rcl3dJ
    - jv on 25/01/2011 - 16:12
      
      i hadn't seen that… thanks…
      
      I know someone who lives in Westgarth, Melbourne on a few kms from the city and get ZERO coverage with Virgin Mobile indoors, and barely one bar outside their house.
King Tightarse on 25/01/2011 - 16:14

+1

Need to warn you the Virgin/Optus 3g network has been close to unusable for a lot of people for around a week. Speculation is it's because they (Optus) are streaming the tennis
see here:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1623552
- bendertiger on 25/01/2011 - 18:10
  
  +4
  
  Isn't it funny, while people are watching one net…it makes it impossible to use another net
- chyawala on 26/01/2011 - 07:44
  
  Overselling of services beyond network capabilities will progressively be realised by rightfully disgruntled customers across all telecommunications. Routinely selling a service and not delivering borders fraudulent.
jv on 25/01/2011 - 16:14

Has anyone had any luck with antennas on these things ???
stumo on 25/01/2011 - 16:31

+1

Also worth noting that on Virgin the modem has heaps of dropouts/re-connects and eventually will lock up. This requires it to be unplugged and re-plugged.

I tried to use Virgin via a E1765 modem as my main internet connection via a 3G capable router. It would require me to re-plug the modem usually once a day. The exact same setup with an Exetel SIM (also Optus based) was fine for days on end. On Vodafone it was fine for weeks on end.

In summary… Virgin network is a bit more crap than (Exetel branded) Optus network.
- jv on 25/01/2011 - 16:53
  
  has heaps of dropouts/re-connects and eventually will lock up. This requires it to be unplugged and re-plugged.
  
  i've had mine for around 2 years now and it has never locked up…
  - King Tightarse on 25/01/2011 - 17:03
    
    I think that issue was somewhat resolved with a firmware upgrade, but still very hit and miss with that model. Further problems were reported with the USB interface. There are better modems out there.
    - jv on 25/01/2011 - 17:04
      
      i've never done a firmware upgrade during the time i've had it… where can i find out how to do this ?
    - stumo on 25/01/2011 - 17:31
      
      Well the exact same modem and setup was rock solid with Vodafone and Exetel. Only thing different was the SIM card.
      
      I did have some success by upping the USB power supply capacity. But the root problem was always there. ie. many, many modem reconnects using Virgin, this is when the light on the modem cycles light blue/dark blue or off. Hardly ever happened on the other networks, but happened all the time with Virgin.
  - King Tightarse on 25/01/2011 - 17:30
    
    OK, had a quick search for you:
    Firstly, we are talking about model e1762, right? I know 176 5 was typed but I presume it's e1762.
    Use DC unlocker software (search) to check your current firmware version, write it down!
    Then proceed.
    Note: general rule with firmware 001, only do it if you are experiencing problems or wish to release a new feature.
    
    here;
    http://www.dc-files.com/files/huawei/modems/E1762/
    - stumo on 25/01/2011 - 17:35
      
      Thanks yep e1762. I did try firmware from there back when I was struggling with it all. Since I moved to Vodafone and never had an issue EVER again, I forgot about it, it just worked.
Teddo on 25/01/2011 - 17:13

worth getting for the data alone.
- ash2000 on 25/01/2011 - 18:12
  
  I got two of these last time just for the data.
afu on 25/01/2011 - 17:39

Can this use in Vodafone? I unlock it last time and use in TPG Pay as you GO phone SIM OK. I try use on Virgin 29 CAP SIM and VODAFONE 29 CAP SIM (I use the Vodafone's APN on VODA and use Virgin's original APN on that Virgin SIM) Both not work. What is the correct setting for them?
I can access 3G internet on X10i(Virgin) and HTC (VODA).
Thanks
- King Tightarse on 25/01/2011 - 17:50
  
  Need to go into profiles and mark the PAP box for Virgin-CHAP for the others as well as correctly setting the APN.
  Note make a new profile and then set it to "default" otherwise it will revert next time it's started.
camMMM on 25/01/2011 - 17:45

delete
- King Tightarse on 25/01/2011 - 17:54
  
  What you have deleted your question?
  It makes the answer a tad mysterious…
  
  Oh well I'll leave it up, considering that finding this info is about a hard as falling off a log these days…
  
  http://www.a-zgsm.com/huawei.php
  - camMMM on 25/01/2011 - 18:03
    
    lol yea i didnt read the above comments. lazy me .
    
    Thanks for the answer anyway, is there anything dangerous about unlocking it this way?
    - King Tightarse on 25/01/2011 - 18:08
      
      Not AFAIK.
      It just calculates the unlock code from the IMEI, pretty popular.
nubzy on 25/01/2011 - 17:51

-1

seems very good deal even just for the data but i only have a big laptop to lug around its 17" screen or something lol. i use it for uni though so might come in handy.
bendertiger on 25/01/2011 - 18:11

I didn't want to 'plus' this deal…afraid it might hit the front page and get sold out before I can buy one.

I did plus it anyway…spirit of ozbargain and all
- ash2000 on 25/01/2011 - 18:14
  
  They lasted to the weekend last time….so if you get in on Thursday, you won't have a problem.
  - bendertiger on 25/01/2011 - 18:23
    
    Thanks :)
  - camMMM on 25/01/2011 - 18:39
    
    You can always raincheck them cant you?
    - portmac on 25/01/2011 - 18:53
      
      According to my local Coles, you can't rain-check mobile phones or broadband packages.
jokoko on 25/01/2011 - 20:26

Will it be at the same price in officeworks? Otherwise we can get another 5% ;)
- portmac on 25/01/2011 - 21:29
  
  Last time it was only at coles, but someone mentioned they they were able to price match it at OW once coles ran out.
covert on 25/01/2011 - 21:23

If mentioning the TPG $1 sim card it should also be mentioned it will cost you $41 for get one. $20 shipping+sim, $20 start up credit, $1 first month = $41
janeymac on 25/01/2011 - 21:23

Can you really use your Vodafone mobile phone SIM in this modem?
- portmac on 26/01/2011 - 10:04
  
  yes, but only do it if you have a generous data allowance.
MementoMori on 26/01/2011 - 10:30

+1

For those with iPhones the next iOS will feature 'personal hotspot'…

Those who have Androids already have this.

I'd prefer to spend my dongle money on my next phone.
- ozdavo on 26/01/2011 - 16:49
  
  iPhone already has teathering for connecting a single device.
cpalada on 26/01/2011 - 16:56

Unlocking using that link given in the main post didn't work for me! Are there any particular steps that need to be taken??
- portmac on 26/01/2011 - 21:45
  
  +1
  
  Use the link to generate the unlock code.
  
  Insert a non virgin SIM into the modem and attempt to connect to the Internet.
  
  You will then be presented with an unlock dialogue box.
  
  Enter code….voila!
nachoman on 27/01/2011 - 23:56

Went to my local store late this evening (Karawara WA), no stock they didn't receive any at all. Without asking they phoned another local store (South Perth) who had 2 left.
nubzy on 28/01/2011 - 00:05

i dunno if its worth getting.. i never really take my laptop with me anywhere. the 4gb only lasts a month..

is it worth getting just incase i go on holiday in the future and can just load it up with some data?
StevePER on 28/01/2011 - 00:33

Bought one this afternoon (Thursday) at Belmont (WA) and they had about 5 left.
chris449 on 28/01/2011 - 17:14

The Glen (Vic) hadn't heard of this, they didn't appear to sell any Virgin Mobile products.
aml276 on 28/01/2011 - 20:29

Does anyone know if you have to unlock it before you activate the included Virgin sim or can I use the incl 4Gb then unlock it to use with my other network sim.
- portmac on 28/01/2011 - 21:59
  
  Either way it doesn't matter. Both will work without issue.
Bargain4U on 28/01/2011 - 21:02

+1

Rang around, most locations don't have them. Finally found one that did, and got it tonight. Very happy so far …
ndenham on 31/01/2011 - 15:16

I managed to pick one up but I don't really need it now (I'm envisaging some future domestic travel though) if i delay activating it will I still get the bonus data (obviously the amount of data is probably subject to change)? Anything to lose by holding off?
crikey on 01/02/2011 - 11:53

Coles in Mentone (Melbourne) had one left in stock yesterday evening.
Dabbler68 on 01/02/2011 - 23:32

If anyone is interested, Coles at Kincumber have several available (7:00 pm Tuesday). Most stores seem to have run out.

Note that the Coles 50% off finishes Wednesday and their catalogue says it must be activated by 2nd Feb to get the 4GB bonus. Virgin online has the same 4GB deal (at $49) but does not mention 2nd Feb.

This was posted 13 years 9 months 28 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

Coles: 50% off Virgin USB Wireless Modems (Unlockable) $24.50 Inc. 4GB Data [Starts Thurs. 27th]

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