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  1. #1
    Graeme Willox
    Guest
    Are there any "tricks" to setting up one of these style cards, or should
    it simply be a case of install the software on the cd, plug in the card
    and go.

    I got one of these the other day, but I haven't been able to connect to
    any network. I know I've been in a Three coverage area. I get a steady
    red light on the card, which indicates that it's not picking up a network.

    If I do a network search, the only network it says it picks up has
    network ID 50501, which I believe from memory is Telstra's GSM network.
    The only thing confusing me is that the card says it's picking up a
    UMTS network with that ID. Given that the card also supports UMTS 850,
    is the network it's seeing (but not letting me log onto) likely to be
    the Telstra NextG network?

    Following on from that, does it sound like my card might be faulty as it
    doesn't find Three's UMTS network or even Telstra GPRS.

    I'm inclined to take it back, but I don't want to find when I return it
    that I've overlook something obvious elsewhere.



    See More: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem




  2. #2

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:40:50 +1000, Graeme Willox
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Are there any "tricks" to setting up one of these style cards, or should
    >it simply be a case of install the software on the cd, plug in the card
    >and go.
    >
    >I got one of these the other day, but I haven't been able to connect to
    >any network. I know I've been in a Three coverage area. I get a steady
    >red light on the card, which indicates that it's not picking up a network.
    >
    >If I do a network search, the only network it says it picks up has
    >network ID 50501, which I believe from memory is Telstra's GSM network.
    > The only thing confusing me is that the card says it's picking up a
    >UMTS network with that ID. Given that the card also supports UMTS 850,
    >is the network it's seeing (but not letting me log onto) likely to be
    >the Telstra NextG network?
    >
    >Following on from that, does it sound like my card might be faulty as it
    >doesn't find Three's UMTS network or even Telstra GPRS.
    >
    >I'm inclined to take it back, but I don't want to find when I return it
    >that I've overlook something obvious elsewhere.


    Since when does the 3 card support 850Mhz? UMTS 2100 shows up as
    Telstra as well. They share the network.



  3. #3
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    [email protected] wrote:
    > On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:40:50 +1000, Graeme Willox
    > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >> Are there any "tricks" to setting up one of these style cards, or should
    >> it simply be a case of install the software on the cd, plug in the card
    >> and go.
    >>
    >> I got one of these the other day, but I haven't been able to connect to
    >> any network. I know I've been in a Three coverage area. I get a steady
    >> red light on the card, which indicates that it's not picking up a network.
    >>
    >> If I do a network search, the only network it says it picks up has
    >> network ID 50501, which I believe from memory is Telstra's GSM network.
    >> The only thing confusing me is that the card says it's picking up a
    >> UMTS network with that ID. Given that the card also supports UMTS 850,
    >> is the network it's seeing (but not letting me log onto) likely to be
    >> the Telstra NextG network?
    >>
    >> Following on from that, does it sound like my card might be faulty as it
    >> doesn't find Three's UMTS network or even Telstra GPRS.
    >>
    >> I'm inclined to take it back, but I don't want to find when I return it
    >> that I've overlook something obvious elsewhere.

    >
    > Since when does the 3 card support 850Mhz? UMTS 2100 shows up as
    > Telstra as well. They share the network.


    Have a look at www.novatelwireless.com The card is a Merlin XU870. It
    says that it supports 850 mhz.



  4. #4

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    On Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:40:31 +1000, Graeme Willox
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >[email protected] wrote:
    >> On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:40:50 +1000, Graeme Willox
    >> <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>
    >>> Are there any "tricks" to setting up one of these style cards, or should
    >>> it simply be a case of install the software on the cd, plug in the card
    >>> and go.
    >>>
    >>> I got one of these the other day, but I haven't been able to connect to
    >>> any network. I know I've been in a Three coverage area. I get a steady
    >>> red light on the card, which indicates that it's not picking up a network.
    >>>
    >>> If I do a network search, the only network it says it picks up has
    >>> network ID 50501, which I believe from memory is Telstra's GSM network.
    >>> The only thing confusing me is that the card says it's picking up a
    >>> UMTS network with that ID. Given that the card also supports UMTS 850,
    >>> is the network it's seeing (but not letting me log onto) likely to be
    >>> the Telstra NextG network?
    >>>
    >>> Following on from that, does it sound like my card might be faulty as it
    >>> doesn't find Three's UMTS network or even Telstra GPRS.
    >>>
    >>> I'm inclined to take it back, but I don't want to find when I return it
    >>> that I've overlook something obvious elsewhere.

    >>
    >> Since when does the 3 card support 850Mhz? UMTS 2100 shows up as
    >> Telstra as well. They share the network.

    >
    >Have a look at www.novatelwireless.com The card is a Merlin XU870. It
    >says that it supports 850 mhz.


    Ok, that's news to me.

    Have you tried talking to Three?



  5. #5
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    [email protected] wrote:
    > On Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:40:31 +1000, Graeme Willox
    > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >> [email protected] wrote:
    >>> On Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:40:50 +1000, Graeme Willox
    >>> <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>>
    >>>> Are there any "tricks" to setting up one of these style cards, or should
    >>>> it simply be a case of install the software on the cd, plug in the card
    >>>> and go.
    >>>>
    >>>> I got one of these the other day, but I haven't been able to connect to
    >>>> any network. I know I've been in a Three coverage area. I get a steady
    >>>> red light on the card, which indicates that it's not picking up a network.
    >>>>
    >>>> If I do a network search, the only network it says it picks up has
    >>>> network ID 50501, which I believe from memory is Telstra's GSM network.
    >>>> The only thing confusing me is that the card says it's picking up a
    >>>> UMTS network with that ID. Given that the card also supports UMTS 850,
    >>>> is the network it's seeing (but not letting me log onto) likely to be
    >>>> the Telstra NextG network?
    >>>>
    >>>> Following on from that, does it sound like my card might be faulty as it
    >>>> doesn't find Three's UMTS network or even Telstra GPRS.
    >>>>
    >>>> I'm inclined to take it back, but I don't want to find when I return it
    >>>> that I've overlook something obvious elsewhere.
    >>> Since when does the 3 card support 850Mhz? UMTS 2100 shows up as
    >>> Telstra as well. They share the network.

    >> Have a look at www.novatelwireless.com The card is a Merlin XU870. It
    >> says that it supports 850 mhz.

    >
    > Ok, that's news to me.
    >
    > Have you tried talking to Three?


    I took it back to 3. They exchanged it. The new one worked. Now that
    I've come out of range of 3, it's doing the same thing again.

    I'm just about to ring the 3 technical support, but I'm not looking
    forward to it based on minor problems I had with my account once and the
    frustration of dealing with their call centre.

    The fact that a second card has done the same thing makes me wonder if
    there's a bug in the firmware. When I watch the card closely at
    power-up, the led lights up steady blue for a few seconds, indicating
    that there is a UMTS network detected. Then it goes steady red which
    indicates that there is no network available. If I then do a manual
    network search, it detecte network 50501 which I believe to be Telstra.
    (For the network name, it says "Roaming")

    Yesterday as I left the 3 store, I did a manual search, and it detected
    the Three, Optus and Vodafone UMTS networks, but of course, it said that
    Optus and Vodfone were forbidden. It didn't detect the Telstra network.
    Earlier today I was in the same location where I detected those two
    networks and it would only detect the Telstra network. It seems to
    detect two different "groups" of networks, and I'm wondering whether it
    searches the bands separatelyy. I'm wondering whether the firmware in
    the card doesn't understand that it can only roam on to one of the
    Telstra networks.

    I don't imagine there are too many places in the world where mobile
    telcos have multiple networks, so maybe it's just something that wasn't
    considered when the firmware was written.



  6. #6
    John Henderson
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    Graeme Willox wrote:

    > I'm just about to ring the 3 technical support, but I'm not
    > looking forward to it based on minor problems I had with my
    > account once and the frustration of dealing with their call
    > centre.


    Please keep us informed of progress.

    > I'm wondering whether it searches the bands separatelyy.


    Although far from being the only possible explanation, the
    simplest explanation seems to be that it's restricting itself
    to searching 850 MHz, once having been exposed to an
    environment where that's the only UMTS signal available. This
    seems consistent with what you've seen.

    I've downloaded the XU870 manual, which is a bit short on
    details (to say the least).

    If you haven't already, perhaps try removing the card, then
    removing the SIM. Reinstall the card without SIM, and try to
    connect. Then remove card, insert SIM, and try again in an
    area where there's 3 UMTS coverage.

    John



  7. #7
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    John Henderson wrote:
    > Graeme Willox wrote:
    >
    >> I'm just about to ring the 3 technical support, but I'm not
    >> looking forward to it based on minor problems I had with my
    >> account once and the frustration of dealing with their call
    >> centre.

    >
    > Please keep us informed of progress.
    >
    >> I'm wondering whether it searches the bands separatelyy.

    >
    > Although far from being the only possible explanation, the
    > simplest explanation seems to be that it's restricting itself
    > to searching 850 MHz, once having been exposed to an
    > environment where that's the only UMTS signal available. This
    > seems consistent with what you've seen.


    I may not have said quite that, but that's basically what I was
    thinking. Assuming that Three did their testing of the card several
    months ago(if they did any), Telstra may not have had the NextG network
    switched on at the time, and so they may not have discovered or
    anticipated this happening.
    >
    > I've downloaded the XU870 manual, which is a bit short on
    > details (to say the least).
    >
    > If you haven't already, perhaps try removing the card, then
    > removing the SIM. Reinstall the card without SIM, and try to
    > connect. Then remove card, insert SIM, and try again in an
    > area where there's 3 UMTS coverage.
    >
    > John


    That sounded like a good suggestion, but once it reports that it can't
    find a USIM, it doesn't even display the network section, so you can't
    change it. I've definately tried to connect in a 3 area.

    This second card did work for a day, but then I did a manual scan
    (without trying to actually connect to anything) and then it got stuck
    where it is now. The Three technical assistant told me that it's
    because I'm not in their service area. Technically he is right, but
    noone told the NetConnect card that the day before when it was managing
    a 1.8 megabit connection.



  8. #8
    John Henderson
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    Graeme Willox wrote:

    > That sounded like a good suggestion, but once it reports that
    > it can't find a USIM, it doesn't even display the network
    > section, so you can't change it. I've definately tried to
    > connect in a 3 area.


    OK, I'd anticipated behaviour like that. I was hoping that
    being powered on without a SIM would undo enough of its memory
    so that it would search all bands at the subsequent power-on.
    And if you do that in a 3 coverage area, the card might come
    good.

    Another possibility is that being powered on with another SIM
    (either another network's USIM or an ordinary GSM SIM) might
    have the same effect, so that it would find 3 when the 3 USIM
    is reinserted within a 3 coverage area.

    That would simulate what many people would do as they travel
    between the USA and Europe (where different bands are in use) -
    hopefully something the manufacturer has tested and got working
    properly.

    John



  9. #9
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    John Henderson wrote:
    > Graeme Willox wrote:
    >
    >> That sounded like a good suggestion, but once it reports that
    >> it can't find a USIM, it doesn't even display the network
    >> section, so you can't change it. I've definately tried to
    >> connect in a 3 area.

    >
    > OK, I'd anticipated behaviour like that. I was hoping that
    > being powered on without a SIM would undo enough of its memory
    > so that it would search all bands at the subsequent power-on.
    > And if you do that in a 3 coverage area, the card might come
    > good.
    >
    > Another possibility is that being powered on with another SIM
    > (either another network's USIM or an ordinary GSM SIM) might
    > have the same effect, so that it would find 3 when the 3 USIM
    > is reinserted within a 3 coverage area.
    >
    > That would simulate what many people would do as they travel
    > between the USA and Europe (where different bands are in use) -
    > hopefully something the manufacturer has tested and got working
    > properly.
    >
    > John


    I tried another GSM sim, but that produced a SIM error message. I'm not
    sure whether it's because it's locked, or because it only accepts USIM
    cards. I sent an email to Novatel last night. I received an automated
    email from them. It was only 7:25 am local time, Christmas morning
    there, so it'll be a couple of days at least before I get a reply, I
    would imagine.



  10. #10
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    Graeme Willox wrote:
    > John Henderson wrote:
    >> Graeme Willox wrote:
    >>
    >>> That sounded like a good suggestion, but once it reports that
    >>> it can't find a USIM, it doesn't even display the network
    >>> section, so you can't change it. I've definately tried to
    >>> connect in a 3 area.

    >>
    >> OK, I'd anticipated behaviour like that. I was hoping that
    >> being powered on without a SIM would undo enough of its memory
    >> so that it would search all bands at the subsequent power-on. And if
    >> you do that in a 3 coverage area, the card might come
    >> good.
    >>
    >> Another possibility is that being powered on with another SIM
    >> (either another network's USIM or an ordinary GSM SIM) might
    >> have the same effect, so that it would find 3 when the 3 USIM
    >> is reinserted within a 3 coverage area.
    >>
    >> That would simulate what many people would do as they travel
    >> between the USA and Europe (where different bands are in use) -
    >> hopefully something the manufacturer has tested and got working
    >> properly.
    >>
    >> John

    >
    > I tried another GSM sim, but that produced a SIM error message. I'm not
    > sure whether it's because it's locked, or because it only accepts USIM
    > cards. I sent an email to Novatel last night. I received an automated
    > email from them. It was only 7:25 am local time, Christmas morning
    > there, so it'll be a couple of days at least before I get a reply, I
    > would imagine.


    Novatel provided a firmware upgrade for the card and an update for the
    Mobilink software which runs on the PC, but the problem is still not
    resolved. I can still only see what I assume is the NextG network.



  11. #11
    John Henderson
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    Graeme Willox wrote:

    > Novatel provided a firmware upgrade for the card and an update
    > for the Mobilink software which runs on the PC, but the
    > problem is still not resolved. I can still only see what I
    > assume is the NextG network.


    Is the card locked to 3? I'm guessing, but I wonder if a
    network lock is causing the problem. Perhaps it's locked (but
    with roaming onto Telstra allowed), and they haven't catered
    for its seeing 850 MHz Telstra cells that won't accept roaming.

    John



  12. #12
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    John Henderson wrote:
    > Graeme Willox wrote:
    >
    >> Novatel provided a firmware upgrade for the card and an update
    >> for the Mobilink software which runs on the PC, but the
    >> problem is still not resolved. I can still only see what I
    >> assume is the NextG network.

    >
    > Is the card locked to 3? I'm guessing, but I wonder if a
    > network lock is causing the problem. Perhaps it's locked (but
    > with roaming onto Telstra allowed), and they haven't catered
    > for its seeing 850 MHz Telstra cells that won't accept roaming.
    >
    > John


    It is locked to 3. I don't know why it's happening from a technical
    perspective, but I think that that's exactly what's happening. I'd
    imagine that at the time they would've done the testing with this
    NetConnect card, the NextG network would not have been active.

    That was what I suggested to the 3 staff today at the store when I went
    back.



  13. #13
    John Henderson
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    Graeme Willox wrote:

    > It is locked to 3.


    OK, I'd missed the possibility that it might be locked until I
    reread one of Simon's posts. So ignore my earlier suggestion
    about changing SIMs.

    There's a possibility that we can make the card ignore the
    Telstra network completely, and that this might get you working
    with 3 again when you're in a 3 coverage area. I'm uncertain
    about a few of the fine details, so you'll need to bear with
    me.

    Firstly, we need to find 3's PLMN. Telstra's is 50501, Optus is
    50502, and Vodafone is 50503. One-tel used to be 50508, and I
    have no idea what 3's is other than it will start with 505
    (Australia).

    Next, we need to force the card to restrict itself to this PLMN
    with the "AT+COPS" (PLMN selection) command. The command is
    optional for manufacturer implementation, but most do implement
    it.

    I'm running Linux, and don't have access to Windows later than
    98. But I imagine later versions of Windows implement modem
    "Extra settings", where you can put such commands. On my
    Windows 98 machine I can get there via Control Panel / Modems /
    Properties / Connection / Advanced / Extra settings.

    Looking at the on-line XU870 manual, page numbered 31, you may
    be able to access it via the Internet Options / Connections /
    Setup tab also.

    Put

    AT+COPS=1,2,"505nn"

    (for the correct value of "nn") into the Extra settings field.
    It there's already something in this field, just add

    ;+COPS=1,2,"505nn"

    to the end of what's already there instead. And if it doesn't
    work with those quotes in place, try it without them.

    When you want it to revert to automatic PLMN selection, just
    remove the above command from "Extra settings" and cycle the
    power to the card/laptop. As a last resort,

    AT+COPS=0

    sets the device to automatic network selection (this is the
    default value specified in 3GPP 27.007).

    John



  14. #14
    Graeme Willox
    Guest

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    John Henderson wrote:
    > Graeme Willox wrote:
    >
    >> It is locked to 3.

    >
    > OK, I'd missed the possibility that it might be locked until I
    > reread one of Simon's posts. So ignore my earlier suggestion
    > about changing SIMs.
    >
    > There's a possibility that we can make the card ignore the
    > Telstra network completely, and that this might get you working
    > with 3 again when you're in a 3 coverage area. I'm uncertain
    > about a few of the fine details, so you'll need to bear with
    > me.
    >
    > Firstly, we need to find 3's PLMN. Telstra's is 50501, Optus is
    > 50502, and Vodafone is 50503. One-tel used to be 50508, and I
    > have no idea what 3's is other than it will start with 505
    > (Australia).
    >
    > Next, we need to force the card to restrict itself to this PLMN
    > with the "AT+COPS" (PLMN selection) command. The command is
    > optional for manufacturer implementation, but most do implement
    > it.
    >
    > I'm running Linux, and don't have access to Windows later than
    > 98. But I imagine later versions of Windows implement modem
    > "Extra settings", where you can put such commands. On my
    > Windows 98 machine I can get there via Control Panel / Modems /
    > Properties / Connection / Advanced / Extra settings.
    >
    > Looking at the on-line XU870 manual, page numbered 31, you may
    > be able to access it via the Internet Options / Connections /
    > Setup tab also.
    >
    > Put
    >
    > AT+COPS=1,2,"505nn"
    >
    > (for the correct value of "nn") into the Extra settings field.
    > It there's already something in this field, just add
    >
    > ;+COPS=1,2,"505nn"
    >
    > to the end of what's already there instead. And if it doesn't
    > work with those quotes in place, try it without them.
    >
    > When you want it to revert to automatic PLMN selection, just
    > remove the above command from "Extra settings" and cycle the
    > power to the card/laptop. As a last resort,
    >
    > AT+COPS=0
    >
    > sets the device to automatic network selection (this is the
    > default value specified in 3GPP 27.007).
    >
    > John


    Thanks. I tried that, but it didn't work. I went into the terminal
    programme in Windows XP , set the "modem" to be the NetConnect card and
    typed those commands and it accepted them. It just didn't have any
    effect on the way the card performed. Three is 50506, BTW.



  15. #15

    Re: 3 HSPDA NetConnect Card Problem

    On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 01:33:18 +1000, Graeme Willox
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >John Henderson wrote:
    >> Graeme Willox wrote:
    >>
    >>> It is locked to 3.

    >>
    >> OK, I'd missed the possibility that it might be locked until I
    >> reread one of Simon's posts. So ignore my earlier suggestion
    >> about changing SIMs.
    >>
    >> There's a possibility that we can make the card ignore the
    >> Telstra network completely, and that this might get you working
    >> with 3 again when you're in a 3 coverage area. I'm uncertain
    >> about a few of the fine details, so you'll need to bear with
    >> me.
    >>
    >> Firstly, we need to find 3's PLMN. Telstra's is 50501, Optus is
    >> 50502, and Vodafone is 50503. One-tel used to be 50508, and I
    >> have no idea what 3's is other than it will start with 505
    >> (Australia).
    >>
    >> Next, we need to force the card to restrict itself to this PLMN
    >> with the "AT+COPS" (PLMN selection) command. The command is
    >> optional for manufacturer implementation, but most do implement
    >> it.
    >>
    >> I'm running Linux, and don't have access to Windows later than
    >> 98. But I imagine later versions of Windows implement modem
    >> "Extra settings", where you can put such commands. On my
    >> Windows 98 machine I can get there via Control Panel / Modems /
    >> Properties / Connection / Advanced / Extra settings.
    >>
    >> Looking at the on-line XU870 manual, page numbered 31, you may
    >> be able to access it via the Internet Options / Connections /
    >> Setup tab also.
    >>
    >> Put
    >>
    >> AT+COPS=1,2,"505nn"
    >>
    >> (for the correct value of "nn") into the Extra settings field.
    >> It there's already something in this field, just add
    >>
    >> ;+COPS=1,2,"505nn"
    >>
    >> to the end of what's already there instead. And if it doesn't
    >> work with those quotes in place, try it without them.
    >>
    >> When you want it to revert to automatic PLMN selection, just
    >> remove the above command from "Extra settings" and cycle the
    >> power to the card/laptop. As a last resort,
    >>
    >> AT+COPS=0
    >>
    >> sets the device to automatic network selection (this is the
    >> default value specified in 3GPP 27.007).
    >>
    >> John

    >
    >Thanks. I tried that, but it didn't work. I went into the terminal
    >programme in Windows XP , set the "modem" to be the NetConnect card and
    >typed those commands and it accepted them. It just didn't have any
    >effect on the way the card performed. Three is 50506, BTW.


    Like I said earlier, did you ring them? Despite the reputation that
    some calls centers have, they have solved problems for me.



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