Vodafone - have I landed in the twilight zone?

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 11:08:36

I purchased a Vodafone 3G mobile broadband dongle a couple of weeks ago, as I expect to be in an area where 3 coverage is poor but Vodafone is good. It came with £15 of credit on it, so no problems at this stage. However, to top up, I have to create an account.

Unfortunately... When I go to the Vodafone site, it allows me to go through all the steps, including sending the activation code by SMS to the device, but then falls over saying they are working to resolve a problem at their end.

I emailed support for advice, and they have told me I need to create the account with the SIM card in a phone, so that the SMS can be sent. Clearly, they are familiar with the product then!

I don't have a Vodafone mobile, though, so can't follow their advice even if I believed it to be good. They also pointed me to a helpful web page which talks me through the exact steps I have followed.

Has anyone else hit this problem?

Niall · Sep 26, 2009, 12:24:38

I left Vodafone because of their complete ineptitude.

quandam · Sep 26, 2009, 12:24:59

Rik

I have been all through this with a similar result as you have experienced.

I found the easiest(?) way out of it is to go to the main Vodafone web site (closely resembles a Chinese puzzle

) enter the phone number of the dongle, and password I think you should have set up at the outset? If you haven't then set one up.

Navigate (good luck!) to mobile internet and ensure you choose a dongle top up as opposed to a mobile phone top up, as you are probably aware they do state that you top up with £15.00 but I am not sure that this is really required (see what you think). However, before going to Inverness this past couple of days I used this method (adding £15.00) and all worked fine. As I say, good luck!

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 12:29:11

That's the problem, though, Q, I set up the password, PIN etc, then get the error message from the server, so I can't actually create the account I need in order to top up.

quandam · Sep 26, 2009, 12:37:55

Rik, I am not clear about the SMS activation bit you speak of. If you have already used the dongle I can't understand why the SMS bit is needed to top you up. I never got involved with SMS at all whilst topping up mine last week.

Also, like you, I haven't got a Voda mobile for them to even send a message to

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 12:57:56

To create the account, they send a validation code to the device, which only works for 20 minutes. That code has to be entered as part of the account setup process, Q. The SMS part of their software receives the code OK, so that's not the problem.

quandam · Sep 26, 2009, 13:09:10

Sorry Rik

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 13:10:26

Me too, Q. The only way you can top these up is via an account, whether you use a voucher or plastic, but it's just not letting me create the account.

Gary · Sep 26, 2009, 14:05:07

Quote from: Rik on Sep 26, 2009, 13:10:26
Me too, Q. The only way you can top these up is via an account, whether you use a voucher or plastic, but it's just not letting me create the account.

Go into a Vodafone shop, it may be easier

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 15:57:08

I had thought about that, Gary, primarily to demand a refund.

Sebby · Sep 26, 2009, 16:00:14

I can't think of anything you can do, Rik, other than wait for them to fix the problem.

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 16:01:56

That was my thought, Seb. If they haven't fixed it by the time I run out of credit, I'll just take it back.

Sebby · Sep 26, 2009, 16:04:15

Sounds like a plan.

Rik · Sep 26, 2009, 16:05:12

It would be an interesting situation because, if I am unable to top it up, then it's unfit for purpose.

Technical Ben · Sep 26, 2009, 20:08:21

Do you have a phone that you can use for mobile internet? I think the latest update to the iphone even allows for that. That's the way I always did it. It is usually cheaper, but you get less of an allowance on a mobile phones data usage.

I use to use bluetooth on my laptop, and my 02 with unlimited 1gb mobile browsing (I know, 1gb is no where near unlimited!). Got good rates on it, but only have gsm speeds around here.

Simon · Sep 26, 2009, 21:07:19

If it has it's own phone number, can the dongle itself receive an SMS when connected to your netbook? Maybe it's that to which they are referring?

4Way · Sep 27, 2009, 00:52:05

This may help you Rik

Link

Rik · Sep 27, 2009, 09:47:42

Thanks.

Nice to see the problem has been around for five months or so.

Rik · Sep 27, 2009, 09:48:37

Quote from: Technical Ben on Sep 26, 2009, 20:08:21
Do you have a phone that you can use for mobile internet?

I do, but that would restrict me to GPRS.

Rik · Sep 27, 2009, 09:49:32

Quote from: Simon on Sep 26, 2009, 21:07:19
If it has it's own phone number, can the dongle itself receive an SMS when connected to your netbook? Maybe it's that to which they are referring?

It can and does, the registration process falls over after that, and has been doing since April, according to the link that 4Way posted.

flinty · Sep 27, 2009, 12:45:10

Rik

I have been using one of these for a few months, and find the simplest way of topping up being by voucher, just bought at Tesco's. It has a validation code. On the Vodafone software V9.3 in my case, there is a top up by voucher option.

Saves all the problems of having an account.......and counts for Tesco points as well. Just have to make sure you buy in multiples of £15

Steve

Simon · Sep 27, 2009, 13:17:48

That would mean Rik having to go to... T... T.... TESCOS!!!

Rik · Sep 27, 2009, 13:52:50

Thanks, Steve. I got the impression I still needed the account, though, to use the voucher. Is this not the case?

flinty · Sep 27, 2009, 14:14:12

Rik

No account needed as far as I know. I have not set one up......and fear not, vouchers also available from other supermarkets, Vodafone shops etc

Steve

Rik · Sep 27, 2009, 14:17:22

It's just that the instructions for using the vouchers that I have are broadly similar to using a card, Steve. That is, I need to login to apply the voucher to the dongle.