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## Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

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### Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by adriansmith on Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:11 pm

Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has a tried a Virgin E169 from their pre-paid broadband packs with an Exetel SIM? The fine-print claims it is locked to the "Optus Network" so I'm not sure if that will mean it will work with Exetel or not?
I'm having a terrible time with Virgin support over early expiry of pre-paid credits so we are looking at going to an Exetel service if possible.
Regards,
Adrian

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by jokiin on Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:26 pm

> adriansmith wrote:Hi,
> I'm wondering if anyone has a tried a Virgin E169 from their pre-paid broadband packs with an Exetel SIM? The fine-print claims it is locked to the "Optus Network" so I'm not sure if that will mean it will work with Exetel or not?
> I'm having a terrible time with Virgin support over early expiry of pre-paid credits so we are looking at going to an Exetel service if possible.
> Regards,
> Adrian

they are only network locked (if at all) so it will work with Exetel which also uses the Optus network

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by peterh_oz on Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:33 pm

Also, Virgin has dropped the price of these ($149). Has the supply price been dropped for Exetel, or are they using subsidies from their monthly fees to help pay for them?
Visit http://www.SeeknBuy.com.au.
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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by MCCMikey on Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:03 pm

I can confirm that the Virgin modems will connect with Exetel. However, it might require the installation of the virgin broadband software to first install the modem. Once installed, you can then switch over to another provider's utility.
The virgin modem comes with a 1 month 300MB included and speed capped at 512K, so you could buy one over the counter and use it while waiting for your Exetel SIM to arrive

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by vk3xem on Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:33 pm

> peterh_oz wrote:Also, Virgin has dropped the price of these ($149). Has the supply price been dropped for Exetel, or are they using subsidies from their monthly fees to help pay for them?

From what I've seen wholesale prices fluctuate all the time, so that may well be the case. Other factors like exchange rate and quantities purchased would also determine the retail price.
So I suppose these factors may restrict Exetel in the short term, hopefully when they order another batch they will be able to alter their pricing.
I purchased my E169 through Exetel just before Christmas and although not a heavy user, I am more than happy with it.
The views I present are that of my own and NOT of any organisation I may belong to.
73 de Simon, VK3XEM

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by MCCMikey on Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:38 pm

Yes, prices on all sorts of hardware are a bit unpredictable at the moment. I mention this more for those situations where you need a stick faster than you can get one from Exetel I've done this in the past with Optus ones, but my local store was out of stock when I needed one for a customer to try, so grabbed a Virgin one to experiment with. Still, it will be good if Exetel can get the prices down (I'm an agent by the way.)

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by MCCMikey on Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:40 pm

I think you can safely reflash the Virgin modem with generic "Mobile Partner" software which installs a connection manager with no profiles. I have done this successfully with an Optus branded stick, but have not tried it on a Virgin one yet.
http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/file ... 58&ctype=1 - you might need to append .zip to the filename.
Cheers, Mike.

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by samarium on Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:38 pm

Thanks for the pointer. I purchased a Virgin E169 last week, and it works ok with my Exetel SIM, so I'll try the reflash after the included 300MB/month of Virgin data/airtime has expired.
I did some testing it in the Hunter Valley on the weekend, however given the wet conditions I didn't feel like climbing on the roof and getting wet and even less like getting a wet laptop. Hopefully conditions are better this coming w/e.

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by sqgl on Sun Aug 23, 2009 1:58 am

Virgin selling Huawei E169 for $129 now. Exetel still $149. Exetel usually match other vendors for hardware, maybe they are not aware in this case?

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by sqgl on Fri Jan 01, 2010 7:38 pm

> MCCMikey wrote:I think you can safely reflash the Virgin modem with generic "Mobile Partner" software which installs a connection manager with no profiles. I have done this successfully with an Optus branded stick, but have not tried it on a Virgin one yet.
> http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/file ... 58&ctype=1 - you might need to append .zip to the filename.

Yes I did have to add .zip bu running it merely updates the modem's "dashboard" but there is no connection manage I can find installed
Running the Virgin conncetion manager again comes up with the same unlock problem.

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by sqgl on Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:30 pm

Installed generic connection manager from
http://www.nextgenserver.com/support/in ... ditemid=70
but it modem is still locked.
Must look for explicit unlocking software.
By the way, it is an E160E (not a 169).

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by jokiin on Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:29 am

> sqgl wrote:Must look for explicit unlocking software.
> By the way, it is an E160E (not a 169).

this is probably the most popular unlocking service for these modems http://www.dc-unlocker.com/

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by sqgl on Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:28 pm

Thanks, a good reference to have. Of all the Huawei modems it does not support my (friend's) Virgin one (E160E). That's OK because I found a web site where good Samaratins give strangers unlock codes! http://forum.exetel.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=30673&p=265019#p265019
It all worked out, so I will be encouraging even more friends to go this Virgin-Exetel wireless route (convinced two so far).

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by Need2No on Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:29 pm

> sqgl wrote:It all worked out, so I will be encouraging even more friends to go this Virgin-Exetel wireless route (convinced two so far).

Also, Dick Smith, Tandy (Woolworths Group)etc have the Virgin Pre Paid E169 and E1762 modems for $89. Target, and maybe other Coles Group stores, have the same Virgin Pre Paid for $80. Most stores seem to have the E169 modem more then the E1762. I went to several stores until I found one selling the E1762 as it is the faster modem. Works well with an Exetel SIM.
Regards

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### Re: Virgin PrePaid Modem (E169) with Exetel SIM

by sqgl on Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:40 pm

need2no, which shop had the E1762E?
"If you require Exetel to provide a modem then you can (on the order form) order a Huawei E160e modem at a cost of $95.00 or a Huawei E1762E at a cost of $165.00 on a zero month contract."
http://www.exetel.com.au/residential-hspa-pricing.php
Seeing as my two friends paid $90 for an E160E I should have just got them to buy it from Exetel (although one did want immediate hookup). Is the E169 much better? Perhaps only worth the bother if one can find an E1762E(?)

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