Switched networks, having trouble setting up mobile internet

Yumilisios

Hi. A few months back now I had a phone call from TalkTalk (already a home+broadband customer) offering me a fantastic deal for a rolling contract sim from them. The offer really was fab compared to what I've been paying on PAYG with Vodafone so I snapped it up!

It took around 3 months to start using the sim as I couldn't get round to unlocking my handset from the vodafone network, but I EVENTUALLY found out that they would do it free of charge (must be free as they didn't ask for any money...also my last £10 credit went down suspiciously fast that week!).

Anyway...finally got it unlocked two days ago, can call and text no problem. The internet is the problem.

When I attempted my first phone call I was automatically directed to customer service to officially finalise the account, they asked if I would be using internet on my phone - well, DUH, I specifically asked for a web package! so they then asked for the model number for my handset (Vodafone 553) and sent the text with a PIN to read back to set up internet browsing. As I can't look at msgs while I'm using my phone I had to call back from my landline to give somebody this PIN. At the time I was pretty tired and had other things to do so thought I'd leave it for a while.

Called back yesterday from my landline to give them the PIN, this lady asked for my handset model number again and explained that the text had been send the day before that they had to send a new one...ok, my bad, could have phoned them straight back, and it didn't take that long anyway just pointing out the fact that this is the SECOND time I have told them that it is a Vodafone 553. I recieved the new PIN a few seconds later, gave it back to her and had the settings sent straight away.

They seemed ok so I ended the call to carry on with my using the web.....NOPE! *please check your settings* didn't even try to connect!

Phoned again, next lady told me to delete the settings etc that had been sent and we tried the process again (third time I've given my handset details). still no joy and I then realised when I looked properly that the settings msg actually said *invalid settings* for internet and MMS. The lady then said she'd forward the issue to the technical support and the issue should be resolved within 24 hrs.

This afteroon; no word from TalkTalk so phoned them for a status report. This time I'm told that because my phone is a Network made phone (ie not Samsung, Nokia, Sony Erricson etc) they have no settings to send and it will have to be done manually following the instructions on their website help page.

WHY did it take a FOURTH person to give me that information!?

But it doesn't end there! I then went to do this myself I realised that the list of settings I need to update on my phone...aren't there! It sais to change:

Access Point: mobile.talktalk.co.uk
Username: wap
Password: wap
Session type: Continuous / permanent
Authentication: Normal
Network type: Ipv4
Security: Off
Gateway (IP) address: 212.183.137.012
Port number: 8799

The only settings with any of those labels are username and password!

So...another call to TalkTalk...I explain the problem, he tells me that I need to call Vodafone and get them to go through it as it is their phone and TalkTalk don't have any info about it to help. The guy at Voda does try to go through it step by step but we hit a wall when he asked me to go into menus that aren't on my phone :-/ fair play he did seem to be trying and attempted to send settings to my phone but said they probably won't work because they are Voda specific...it didn't reach my phone. He then said I need to speak to a tech support advisor from TalkTalk.....then the TalkTalk guy said the same thing again about Voda.....last call made was to Voda...still no joy....

Everybody I speak to now seems very apologetic but they just seem to be passing the buck and I don't know who I need to moan at now :mad:

Apart from the infuriating technical problem, I'm also wound up that they started charging me as soon as they sent me the sim but as I mentioned further up, I couldn't use it for about 3 months and the sim didn't get registered until Friday just gone!

Can anybody shed ANY light on my problem atall? would be extremley grateful, fed up off phoning the now, if I had such facilities I'd have a three way call with them so they can fight it out between them and I don't have to run about anymore.

TIA xxx

Buzby

Vodafone is not a phone manufacturer, so it would be impossible for the new provider to be aware of the type, and provide setting to change it. If you are unable to find the internet settings yourself and use the default ones for your new network, you'll need to doa little digging. Who made your handset? What is the generic model name for the handset you have?

A quick way of doing this is to check on eBay for your handset, a look in the accessories section will tell you what chargers and accessories will work with it - and you'll quickly find the actual manufacturer and model number.

Armed with this, you can go back to the new network and ask them!

grumbler

Yumilisios wrote: »

... A few months back now I had a phone call from TalkTalk ...offering me a fantastic deal for a rolling contract sim from them. The offer really was fab compared to what I've been paying on PAYG with Vodafone so I snapped it up!

It took around 3 months to start using the sim as I couldn't get round to unlocking my handset from the vodafone network...

I'm ...wound up that they started charging me as soon as they sent me the sim but as I mentioned further up, I couldn't use it for about 3 months...

I cannot help you with settings, but you seem to not understand the difference between 'contract' and PAYG.

It is your problem that you bought a contract and couldn't get around to use it.

grumbler

Buzby wrote: »

Who made your handset?

ZTE

What is the generic model name for the handset you have?

Vodafone 553

http://www.zteuk.co.uk/device/201105/t20110525_1515.html

Don't know how this helps with settings.

flashg67

I 'think' your phone is a rebadged Sagem model? Perhaps try sending some Sagem settings to your phone to install?

Yumilisios

grumbler wrote: »

I cannot help you with settings, but you seem to not understand the difference between 'contract' and PAYG.

It is your problem that you bought a contract and couldn't get around to use it.

Yeah, I do understand the difference and fully aware that its not their fault I couldn't use the sim. But it is a rolling contract so don't see why they'd have to charge before the sim is even registered....ah well...never mind that bit, live and learn xx

Yumilisios

Buzby wrote: »

Vodafone is not a phone manufacturer, so it would be impossible for the new provider to be aware of the type, and provide setting to change it. If you are unable to find the internet settings yourself and use the default ones for your new network, you'll need to doa little digging. Who made your handset? What is the generic model name for the handset you have?

A quick way of doing this is to check on eBay for your handset, a look in the accessories section will tell you what chargers and accessories will work with it - and you'll quickly find the actual manufacturer and model number.

Armed with this, you can go back to the new network and ask them!

Its an Alcatel, was made aware of this during the last call to Voda...did think of calling TalkTalk with this new info...xx

Yumilisios

...ok, phone TalkTalk again to try getting the settings for Alcatel....got the same guy as before, he said they already know its an Alcatel but problem still stands. He reckons he can't see why Voda are being so unhelpful when they've had the issue before and is usually so simple to resolve, said he sent an e-mail to his manager to investigate so I'm gonna have to wait and see now :-/

Techhead_2

see the post by nigholith on Jun28 here

community.giffgaff.com/t5/Help-Ask-the-community-got-stuck/Internet-settings-for-vodafone-553/td-p/476127/page/2


Make sure to enter the talktalk settings though and not the giffgaff. It looks really easy to do, so follow it carefully.