Samba Mobile Broadband - Is it Really Free?

Paul_Varjak

Samba SIM cards are supposed to be already activated upon receipt - no longer any requirement to go on-line an activate the SIM.

But Samba are sending out SIM cards which have not been activated. My SIM card arrived within 1 day but it was another day before it had been activated,

A simple way to check that it has been activated is as follows:

Just call the phone number of your SIM card. If you get an error message indicating an 'invalid number', your SIM card has not yet been activated.

If the error message you get is: "Sorry the person you are trying to reach will not accept this call, thank you" then your SIM card has been activated.

You will always get some sort of error message, even when you SIM card is activated, as Samba does not support voice calls, so performing this check should cost nothing!

Hope that helps!

Savvy_Sue

I haven't read the whole thread I'm afraid, but I did do a bit of a search ...

Got my Samba SIM card today. Stuck it into my Orange dongle which I've had for a long time, pay £5 per month but don't need it regularly so have been considering cancelling for some time.

I'm now thinking the dongle must be locked, because it's not connecting.

I thought maybe if I uninstalled the original Orange software and then plugged the dongle back in it might automatically sort itself out, but no joy.

It's a Huawei £1752, if that makes a difference ...

Off to bed now - btw I have checked Paul's advice and it IS activated!

Paul_Varjak

The Huawei E1752 is a popular dongle and lots of websites give unlocking instructions. Just type huawei e1752 unlock into Google.

If you are lucky you may find a site that will provide free unlock codes, otherwise you should be able to unlock for about £5.

Blue_Max

Unlock codes can be purchased at ebay for about £1.
Or you can DIY. Instructions at
http://www.doncaprio.com/2010/08/how-to-unlock-your-huawei-usb-modem.html
http://www.doncaprio.com/2012/11/how-to-flash-huawei-usb-modems-and-re-install-the-firmware.html

Savvy_Sue

Thank you. I've successfully unlocked phones before, is it as simple as that or a bit more techie? I've started reading Max's links, but I confess I'm a bit shattered today and don't want to do anything daft!

Blue_Max

You might find the DIY method a little bit techie.
But using an unlock code from eBay for £1 is easy. It comes with simple to follow instructions.
At the time of purchase you need to give them the Huawei model number and the long IMEI number.
After you get the unlock code, launch the modem/dongle connection software and you will be prompted for the unlock code. And thats it!

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Thank you. I've successfully unlocked phones before, is it as simple as that or a bit more techie? I've started reading Max's links, but I confess I'm a bit shattered today and don't want to do anything daft!

Savvy_Sue

Blue_Max wrote: »

You might find the DIY method a little bit techie.
But using an unlock code from eBay for £1 is easy. It comes with simple to follow instructions.
At the time of purchase you need to give them the Huawei model number and the long IMEI number.
After you get the unlock code, launch the modem/dongle connection software and you will be prompted for the unlock code. And thats it!

Thanks, last daft question (for now), is that the new IMEI no I'll need? I still have both, so far ...

Actually my best bet might be to give the dongle to one of my DSs to play with, flashing and firmware hold no perils for them! I'm seeing one next weekend ... postage back to me would be less than Ebay, I'm not great on Ebay either tbh!

Paul_Varjak

The IMEI number is the IMEI number of you dongle (not the SIM card)

Here is a video of how to find the IMEI of your dongle (in Windows XP anyway)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9F01WXkfec

Blue_Max

IMEI number of your Huawei dongle is what they they want. At eBay, do a search for Huawei dongle Unlock code.
There are a few 99p codes for Huawei E1752.
Look in item description to confirm the info they require. Some also give easy to follow instructions.
Trust me, it is simples!

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Thanks, last daft question (for now), is that the new IMEI no I'll need? I still have both, so far ...

Actually my best bet might be to give the dongle to one of my DSs to play with, flashing and firmware hold no perils for them! I'm seeing one next weekend ... postage back to me would be less than Ebay, I'm not great on Ebay either tbh!

whosforachat

I didn't realise these didn't work with mobile phones until I bought one.