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are those branded portable 3G-Wifi-Spot-devices locked ?


siam2007

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Sorry for this "Dummie"-question, but: are those portable-3G-Wifi-Spot-devices that TRUE and AIS sell everywhere LOCKED or can you use any SIM of any provider anywhere in the world with it ? Was considering to buy one, but I would need to be sure I can use it in Malaysia, Hong Kong, US and Ecuador or whereever....

and are those devices..... AHEMMMMM...... " self-explaining" ? so that an IT-Dummie can handle it ? is it as easy as "plug and Play" or do you need to make a lot of configuration-settings (which usually I fail to do as I am too stupid handling such devices....)

certainly those devices do not come with an English manual, am I right ?

Thanks to all the experts for advice.....

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I think this varies by device, service provider and specific promotion/plan.

Phones cannot be locked here, by regulation. However, other devices like USB Aircards and MiFi devices can be sold locked.

A colleague purchased a TrueMove H-branded MiFi device (ZTE MF65) which is locked to TrueMove H.

It may be possible to unlocked these devices, but I always recommend purchasing the un-branded, un-locked OEM version, which should be easily sourced. Obviously branded devices, if heavily subsidized, will be less expensive.

These devices are generally simple to use straight out of the box; most come with a fairly simply start up guide. Assuming you have a known good working SIM, and a device with WiFi and a browser you should be fine.

You can winnow down your possible devices, then download the associated PDF to review the user's guide to get a feel for the complexity.

http://smscaster.com/ebay/docs/ZTE%20MF65%20User%20Manual.pdf

http://www.totalaircard.com/categories/3G-Router/3G-Mobile-MiFi/

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  • 2 weeks later...

yes it happened to be like that - those devices sold by TRUE or AIS are locked. Been at TRUE at Fortune Tower.

But - it doesn't matter anyway at this moment, because as it seems THERE ARE NO 3G HOTSPOT DEVICES available ANYWHERE in the Kingdom at this moment ! Not at several TRUE stores, (sorry out of stock long time, Mister), and not at ANY other shop anywhere in Bangkok. Asked at about 20 shops at Fortune tower, where I bumped into a felt 3.7 Million "PowerPack" mobile chargers, but not even ONE SINGLE 3G HOTSPOT device could be found.

Same at other smaller IT-places I went.....

even at the LAZADA website, the latest Huawei-device is listed as "sold out", they only sell an outdated older model at a fantasy-price.....

:-(

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Thanks for the hint. I have never heard about this company before. prices are around 15-20% above the usual price at onlinestores in Thailand. Maybe that is the reason why they still stock some articles that are sold out anywhere else. (Huawei E5220: lazada 1.449 THB, invadeIT 1.690 THB)

Unlike Lazada, they only accept advance-payment by credit card paypal or bank-transfer. But I won't do any "advance payment" in Thailand for the time being. At Lazada, you have a "cash on delivery" option. very convenient.

Pity this company's store is not at a place where most Farang reside such as Bangkok or Pattaya, instead it is in small HuaHin. A bit far to travel there from Bangkok ;-)

Plus, I read on their website regarding their policies: " invadeIT will not accept any return or change of products in all cases."

conclusion: I won't be their customer

Edited by siam2007
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went to COMMART at Suan Sirkihit Center yesterday, and the entire event was 100% VOID of any Huawei devices......... strange..... but HUAWEI seems to be almost non-existing in the kingdom, whereas in other countries, even in Europe, they dramatically increase their marketshare (in regard of Smartphones)

I found one TP-Link 3G-Pocket-Hot-Spot device, but it was selling at 2.790 THB which honestly I did not want to spend.

will wait until I am in Hong Kong early next month and buy there. For sure no shortage of HUAWEI devices there.....

thanks all for the input.....

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after my unsuccessful visit of COMMART I intensified my google research and finally found something promising:

http://www.totalaircard.com/categories/3G-Router/3G-Pocket-WiFi/

they are selling online, but have an outlet at PANTIP, usually a place I avoid, but in that case I will have to make an exception and endure the "U WANT PORN DVD?" - crooks.

going there tomolo and will report

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