Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem (Macbook)

oyster · 23-09-2006, 09:17 AM

Got this working on macbook if anyone is having problems. The Sales staff at Vodafone did not want to answer if its supported on macbook.

The Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem software is not supported on macbook intel except powerbook/g4/g5.

The Launch2net by novamedia comes with the driver but supports up to 1.8Mbps only.

It is also working on Parallels to get 3.6Mbps.

irock · 24-09-2006, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by oyster:

Got this working on macbook if anyone is having problems. The Sales staff at Vodafone did not want to answer if its supported on macbook.

The Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem software is not supported on macbook intel except powerbook/g4/g5.

The Launch2net by novamedia comes with the driver but supports up to 1.8Mbps only.

It is also working on Parallels to get 3.6Mbps.

Hmm... I just got a HSDPA USB modem, but the software is apparently PowerPC only. PowerPC software supposedly runs on Intel Mac, but probably the driver needs to be recomplied. Vodafone likely has not done this.

oyster · 24-09-2006, 07:23 AM

i read somewhere that as soon as they update the next version of the VMC to v7.02.0004 it will be intel macbook ready.

did you try using launch2net ? it supports the huawei usb modem

IceAIM · 24-09-2006, 08:18 AM

I just bought a PC card from vodaphone, but it does only 1.8Mbps. You guys are telling me they have usb modems that do 3.6mbps??

Are there any PC cards that can do this? Why the hell didn't vodaphone tell me? I have the unlimited contract plan plus I pay extra to use Skype.

oyster · 24-09-2006, 01:15 PM

The usb modem was just released recently. I asked them to refund the pc card too but they didnt have such a plan

KnowItAll · 24-09-2006, 01:30 PM

>> I asked them to refund the pc card too but they didnt have such a
>> plan

This was the biggest problem I had with their pricing policy.

1) What happens when you release the higher speed service?
2) What happens when you release new hardware?

They have to accept that the users who adopt early will need to upgrade.. and they need to work harder to keep these users happy.

Would be interesting to see if CSL ever responds to similar questions I've sent them.

IceAIM · 25-09-2006, 04:57 PM

KIA,

Wow that is super lame. This is especially true since those idiots at vodaphone never mentioned the usb modem to me. Just the PC Card.

Is there a PC Card that can do 3.6Mbps? Supposedly my PC card is the latest and greatest, but it can only do 1.8Mbps.

God the sales people at vodaphone are a bunch of morons who didn't pass P4.

Plus why did they decide to offer a 3.6Mbps USB modem rather than a PC card? A PC card is much easier to manage than a USB modem, since I can keep it inside my notebook and not have some cumbersome attachment.

Is the USB modem quad band like the PC Card?

KnowItAll · 25-09-2006, 05:41 PM

>> offer a 3.6Mbps USB modem rather than a PC card?

Well, for one, gives people a little bit more device independance and flexibility.

A USB device can be used on desktops for example. All our desktops at home use USB WiFi cards... go figure.

njoy · 26-09-2006, 12:42 PM

>> offer a 3.6Mbps USB modem rather than a PC card?

Well, for one, gives people a little bit more device independance and flexibility.

sounds good to me, my laptop bag is cluttered with cables and accessories - looking around the market, this seems about the best way to join the wireless world

IceAIM · 26-09-2006, 03:48 PM

I hope they release a 3.6Mbps PC card soon. I much prefer an internal PC card over some external thing hanging off my notebook.

I am still steamed that none of those sales idiots even mentioned it. Bunch of idiotic morons.

Oh and I read the CEOs letter to geoexpat. The letter addressing the AUP issues and stuff is totally reasonable.

However their justification for locking the PC card is complete bullcrap. COMPLETE BULLCRAP.

It would be reasonable justification if the card was free or very cheap. But it's not!!! It costs an arm and a leg. It actually costs much more than the SAME EXACT card in New Zealand.

Hey Vodaphone......F off with your stupid justification. The same PC card in Hong Kong costs significantly more than the same PC card in New Zealand. If that's not already bad enough, you add insult to injury by locking a device we paid full price in.

It's my card, I should use it with any competing provider I want. Don't like it? F OFF! It's none of your !#$@ business what I do with a card I paid full price for.

Is anyone else mad about Mr Vodaphone's justification for locking the cards? Total crap justification if you ask me!

I hope someone is able to unlock these soon so that we can give Vodaphone the finger when using the device outside of Hong Kong.

Sure the roaming management is awesome, but if there is a cheaper alternative (such as subscribing to a provider in that country) Vodaphone should back off. We paid in FULL you jerks!