Optus SIM in Telstra Smart Modem Gen 3

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  mitt on 20/06/2023 - 15:43

  The smart modems are locked down, not sure about gen3 but gen2 will only work with telstra network sims. Their VOIP settings are also locked.

  Get a b818 modem off facebook/gumtree. They are generally unlocked & will get you the maximum speed you can manage on 4g.

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    BargainBenno on 20/06/2023 - 16:13

    So if I put a Boost Prepaid in the Gen 2 Smartmodem that should work? There are ongoing cash backs on the Boost SIMs each month.

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      mitt on 20/06/2023 - 18:32

      yeah the boost Sims work. I did this with a gen2 smart myself for a bit. be aware because the smart modems intend the Sim slot as a backup you may not get the full potential connection speed, though boost is limiting that for prepaid Sims anyway now so prob won't see a difference.

      • 

        MeesusEff on 06/12/2023 - 12:36

        +1

        Hi! Do you need to do anything to activate the other sim? Ive got a Telstra Gen 3 modem, but i tried putting in a Boost sim and it wouldn't connect to the internet, but it worked fine when i put the sim in a tablet

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    ozbargainsam on 20/06/2023 - 18:16

    Thanks. And darn. It seemed from my searches of the web that the Gen 2 might've been able to do what I wanted, so hoped the Gen 3 was also.

    I don't need anything too fancy, might try and find a cheap Vodafone Pocket thing maybe assuming it works on Optus. Just need to setup some cameras in an unoccupied space

    • 

      mitt on 20/06/2023 - 20:27

      Some gen2 modems could work with other sims but it was a lot of fing about & the settings you had to change didnt stick. Factory reset & you gotta go through the whole process again. This was only particular revisions though, there are actually two different manufacturers of Gen2 smart modems. They are named the same, look the same but the model number & firmware is entirely different.

      There is a reason they are so cheap on FB marketplace.

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  [Deactivated] on 23/06/2023 - 17:06

  Vodafone network won't work with Optus sims as they are different networks.
  They Vodafone lock the devices as well you will need to buy a new modem from a computer store such as one of the Nighthawk type ones that run on 4G or 5G.
  Or this TP-link would do the job, https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/networking/modems-&-rout… not that expensive and you get a 3 year warranty.

  • 

    ozbargainsam on 23/06/2023 - 18:36

    Thanks, I'll check that one out.

    Not looking for anything fancy. Just anything with wifi and 4G so that might do the trick if it's the cheapest unlocked option.

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  [Deactivated] on 23/06/2023 - 17:10

  Or if you want one you can throw outdoors grab an industrial 4G modem throw a Sim in it place it where the security cammeras are and away you go.
  These are more expensive though but you get what you pay for.

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    ozbargainsam on 23/06/2023 - 18:36

    It'll be indoors and won't be for very long. Just wanting to stick some HomeKit cameras with motion sensing in there

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  [Deactivated] on 24/06/2023 - 17:04

  Oh right, the TP-Link router would be the way to go then as you can use it for NBN as well as 4G.
  Or just get a pre-paid 4G broadband dongle and plug it into a laptop and do it that way might be cheaper if its only for a month or two.

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  dragond on 04/08/2023 - 19:31

  I've rooted my Telstra Smart Modem Gen 3, and am using an Amaysim (Optus) SIM card in it.

  It was a bit more trickier, and I had to resort to using timed instructions here:
  https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9vxxl849?p=479#r9561

  • 

    ozbargainsam on 04/08/2023 - 21:16

    Wow…thanks. That is some intense stuff. I might need a free weekend to even start thinking about doing that.