Turkcell 3G Dongle

[Norman_E]

I bought a Turkcell 3G VINN dongle last month. I worked fine but I am now back home. Does anyone know how to unlock it so that I can use a French sim in it when I am in France? It is made by Huawei, model E176G HSPA USB Stick, but their website is no use, as I cannot even identify the device on it though a similar E176 is listed.

 

[Steve Clayton]

google unlock Huawei, modem E176G HSPA

 

[Norman_E]

google unlock Huawei, modem E176G HSPA

I have done that and even got an 8 digit unlock code based on the IMEI number but the program to use the code is downloaded in some type of file that Windows does not recognise. I have looked at several sites, most of which are pretty dubious looking, often with broken links, and links to hackers sites. Do you know anything safe? One site suggests it is just a question of removing the Turkcell Sim, plugging in an unsupported one, connecting to the laptop and entering the unlock code in a box that will come up on screen. Is that correct? (apparantly that will only work if Turkcell have not disabled it)

 

[mikehibb]

Think that it is time for you to break away from Dongle technology and go mifi.
(assuming of course that your laptop has wifi)

Mifi is like a portable 3G modem /wifi router. You put a sim card in it from whoever you chose, it connects to the net like your dongle, however instead of plugging it into you USB port, it gives a local wifi signal that you log in to.

You can get them off ebay or Amazon, you need an unlocked one obviously.

Your laptop, ipad or smart phone can talk to it.

Takes just a couple of minutes to "talk to it" and tell it the configuration of your new sim card, you set up profiles for each Sim provider, all easily found on the net or from your service/SIM provider.

They can run on mains via an adapter, with built in rechargeable battery that will give you 4 or 5 hours use when off mains. About the size of a packet of those slimline cigarettes, drops into a pocket.

Bought one earlier this year, using it now to type this, had the family over this week in Turkey, it will allow up to 5 devices to connect at any one time on wifi. (password protected so that no one else takes your band width)

Bro in laws laptop, my laptop and nephews ipad were all working together this week.

Obviously with only one device connected you get better speed, we had video skype running with no buffering probs at all this week too.

So with one mifi, you can interchange sim cards where ever you go.

Ours is an unlocked T Mobile branded (Huwaie) device, cost about £90 earlier this year, but I guess prices will be coming down, and battery life will be getting better.

Only negative specifically for Turkey, I had to register its IMEI when I last arrived in Turkey, it cost only 10TL do do so, if you do not it will get blocked by turkish system after ba day or so, Only took 10 minutes and a copy of my passport to do so at the vodafone shop (you will need to do the same at the the turkcell shop as you have a turkcell sim, they will register your turkcell sim number to this device)

I have profiles set up for 3 of my differennt SIM cards all in different countries, takes two minutes to tell the mifi which profile to use.
A colleague has one too, I set it up for him to work in UK, Georgia and Spain.

Brilliant bit of kit, and allows guests and friends to use your connection too, without unplugging the USB each time etc.

Good luck
Mike on mifi.

 

[BrendanS]

yep, mifi is a lovely bit of kit, and I have one
You can do the same from many smartphones though now. They will become a wifi 'personal hotspot' or similar by turning on that function, and if the provider allows 'tethering'
A lot of this terminology turns people off exploring what their devices will do or allow, so questions welcome

 

[mikehibb]

Yes, as BrendanS says (as always , good info from BrendanS) you can do the same with a smartphone ( I do it too sometimes wih my android tablet)

But the advantage that I find, in my particular case, is that I have my local 3g Sim on a data only package for my mifi. That enables me to use all of my other devices through it for data purposes. AND I can keep my work phone switched on (roaming) and they can still contact me if required ( work require me to do this)

Both methods have their good points, it is, as always, pay your money and take your choice.

 

[DaveRo]

I bought a Turkcell 3G VINN dongle last month. I worked fine but I am now back home. Does anyone know how to unlock it....

fonefunshop (google it) is reliable - ask them. I've used them for mending and rebranding phones - but I don't use dongles. But only if it the dongle is worth it - some are very cheap.

.

...so that I can use a French sim in it when I am in France? .

France is tricky for prepaid SIMs - take a look on prepaidgsm.net for the latest thoughts:
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/europe/