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So I have an Orange PAYG phone SIM card - used in a 2G phone for occasional calls and texts (though the SIM says "3G" on it). I also have a laptop with built in 3G. However when I try the SIM in the laptop it says "access denied" - it appears to be seeing a network as I have signal bars and it says "Orange" on the connection screen. Is there something I need to enable on my SIM/account to get 3G data, or does a standard phone SIM not work in a data only device? Or is there something else I'm missing?
Have never had a 3G phone or used internet on a mobile device, so I'm pretty ignorant about all this stuff, but trying to work out what's what - thanks for any help!
Some computer manufacturers lock their laptops to certain networks (pretty sure dell do with vodaphone). Some mobile operators lock their phone sim cards to certain devices (I think Orange do, but unsure).
Also, make sure you've got some software and the correct drivers so that your laptop can use the built in 3G hardware.
One thing to try is 3.
You can get a PAYG sim card from them pre-loaded with 1,3,12GB very reasonable, and they've worked in all the ones I've seen.
It would establish if the built in 3g is functioning ok.
This may sound far fetched, but one laptop I had was specc'ed with built in 3G, and came supplied with a sim card and the slot behind the battery to take it, but wouldn't connect. After a bit of investigation, discovered that it hadn't had the mobile broadband card fitted, so they ended up sending one out in the post for me to fit . Its then that I found out about the software and drivers too.
Thanks for the advice. I'm sure it has a 3G card (that also provides the GPS which works, and it's showing me a signal), and that it has the drivers required. I don't think that's locked to a particular provider, though there's very little information about it. The Orange SIM being locked to a phone seems quite possible though (I have two Orange SIMs, but one's OVP Virgin, and all the advice is that data doesn't work with those at all).
Those 3 deals look decent - don't really want to spend money though if I don't have to - was hoping there was some way to use what I already have for a casual try.
I [i]think[/i] you may have to get Orange to activate 3G on the sim/account before it works. I've certainly had to get new settings downloaded to the sim to get it to work with a new 3G phone.
have you put the correct apn, username, password etc in the settings? Sounds like it's picking up a signal but unable to connect due to the settings not being right.
Ask orange if 3g is activated against the sim, or try another 3g sim in the laptop.
PAYG Orange sim card will not be a data sim. It wont even log onto the 3G. They might activate it depending on what class if sim card you have but I would speak to Orange and they'll prob send you out a new sim with the data activated on it.
As for locking the Sim card to a phone, Orange dont do this. They allow you to swap and change phones without issue.
have you put the correct apn, username, password etc in the settings?
Nope. Have no idea what any of those are or where I'd enter them...
Hmm, I found this:
"Can I use my phone's SIM in my Orange mobile broadband device?"
No. Your Orange mobile broadband SIM is set up differently in our network to ensure you receive the best possible mobile broadband speed."Can I use mobile broadband on pay as you go?"
Not at the moment, but keep checking our website as we are frequently updating our services.
Which suggests a phone SIM won't work, and I can't do it on PAYG. Boo, hiss.
thats terrible if it's right, how do iphone/smartphone users get on? they connect to the internet. Are you able to try the sim in another phone with 3g ability? I use a regular, albeit Vodafone PAYG sim card in my laptop & have never had an issue.
second apn, username and pw in your modem manager software.
http://androidbloke.co.uk/2009/08/19/orange-uk-apn-and-network-settings/
thats terrible if it's right, how do iphone/smartphone users get on? they connect to the internet. Are you able to try the sim in another phone with 3g ability? I use a regular, albeit Vodafone PAYG sim card in my laptop & have never had an issue.
That's different, they're designed as a computer with telephony functions so the issue doesn't arise. An iPad is a closer comparison, I've just bought an iPad, and that will come with an O2 data-only SIM that operates on a month by month basis, which is what I think you need. 1Gb/month is about £10, 2Gb about £15, IIRC, but you need to check with whoever you preferred network is.