Mobile Broadband

[kitykatz]

Hello,

I installed this modem two weeks ago and have had a great deal of trouble getting connected to the internet.

Occasionally  it will connect immediately, but often it takes frequent attempts. The record so far is 18 attempts over about an hour.

The modem tries to connect for about 3 minutes to connect, then stops and gives me this message:

Mobile connection not possible.
- Set your current mobile device as the default device under the 'Devices' tab in the Advanced window
- Ensure that no other applications are using your mobile device and try again in a short while
- Delete the device under the 'Devices' tab in the Advanced window, add it back again, and then try connecting
- If you see the 'Account Type' option in the Options window, check that the right account is selected for your SIM.
If this error persists, please contact Support at your mobile network operator.
Support information: RAS error code 718

The RAS error code is usually 718,  and I've also had a few 770s, as well as 628, 720, 734.

Two weeks ago I spent about 4 hours on the phone with 3 or 4 different Vodafone people. We repeated the same steps a few times - deleting the Vodafone modem from the Control panel, as well as deleting all the other modems in case there is some kind of conflict with them, uninstalling & reinstalling the Vodafone software, searching for files on the computer and deleting those files, restarting the computer.

But none of that made any noticeable difference.

I am in Cardiff NSW 2285, accessing either 3G or HSUPA (3 bars) according to the Vodafone browser. Please let me know if you need any more details.

[Peter]

Sorry to hear about your current strife with the K4511 modem. 

Which operating system are you using?

Are you using the Vodafone connection manager installed from the stick?

If so, which version?

NB - Make sure the connection software is up to date.

MBB software updates - Downloads for internet stick - Prepaid or postpaid
http://www.vodafone.com.au/help/mobilebroadband/

Postpaid - eg K4511
Windows - v10.1.1.26030
Mac - v4.07.00.00 

FURTHER THOUGHTS

Have a look at this answer to a similar problem posted on the Vodafone UK site with a few interesting suggestions.

k3765 windows7 x64 RAS 718 error

Moderator:  Interesting error code, I've only ever seen this once before

a RAS718 usually means a time-out waiting for a valid response from the PPP peer, This error indicates a PPP conversations was started, but was terminated because the remote server did not respond within an appropriate time.

This can be caused by the following:

    Service outage : What post code are you in?
    Changes to the mobile connect card drivers: what drivers are you using?
    Degradation in wireless signal: does your modem pick up any signal bars?
    General Driver issues: its rare but the driver could have been corrupted
    TCP/IP issues: This error may also occur if your TCP/IP settings aren't enabled:

    Start>settings>control Panel> Network Properties (or network and Dial up properties)
    Right click on the connection corresponding to your wireless device and select Properties from the menu that appears
    Select the Networking Tab in the list in the lower half of the window, make sure that Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is present and that the box next to it is checked.

Together, this problem can be defeated...

[kitykatz]

Hi Peter, thanks for responding so quickly.

Which operating system are you using?: I'm using a Toshiba Satellite with Windows 7 Ultimate version 6.1 (Build 7601ervice Pack 1).

Are you using the Vodafone connection manager installed from the stick? Yes,you can see it here: http://tinypic.com/r/2yuascj/5

If so, which version? Where do I find this information?

[Peter]

I'm temporarily stumped by this - it could be network-related - but here are a couple of suggestions.

1)  Plug an external aerial into the K4511. Visual signal strength indicators are often optimistic - remember one of the iPhone models?  Is the RSSI displayed if you hover the mouse over the signal display? Or maybe could you measure the RSSI with a smartphone?  Readings from -60dBm to -90dBm should be OK. 

2)  How about trying the K4511 in a compatible router, eg the Vodafone R101 dock?  It's wi-fi & LAN capable, and cheap enough.  That'd get you a steady connection anyway.  I was going to suggest a TP-Link MR3420 3G router but I'm not certain it's compatible with the modem.  I have the router but not the modem so I can't check it.

3)  Your screen capture tells me you've got version 10 connection software (there must be specific version info somewhere).  I would've installed the Vodafone software myself but as it was about to remove 'earlier versions of Huawei's Mobile Partner', which I wanted to keep, I didn't.

The newest version available is on the Vodafone UK website:

Vodafone Mobile Broadband Software for Windows: 10.2.302 

Previous versions available - check the drop-down box

Vodafone Mobile Broadband USB Sticks
http://www.business.vodafone.com/site/bus/public/enuk/support/10_productsupport/laptop_connectivity/...

PS - Read this thread from the Vodafone UK forum: Problems with K4511

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Broadband/problems-with-Vodafone-dongle-K4511/m-p/998993

[Charlotte]

Hi kitykatz,

Thank you for providing those details on your experience. 

From what you have told me it sounds like you could be experiencing some coverage issues. Have you tried using the Mobile Broadband at another location? If possible, are you able to try in another area and let me know if you are having the same issues?

I would like to look into this for you as I want you to be able to use your service!

Please let me know how you go in testing in another location and if it works with no issues I will raise a Network Investigation for you.

Thank you,

Charlotte

[kitykatz]

Plug an external aerial into the K4511. I'm already using an antenna - a laptop screen clip-on that I used in Sydney with an Optus/Huawei E1762 modem (TCLIP2-CRC9: http://www.antennashop.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1). It seems to help a littl,  gives an extra bar of signal - I get three bars with the antenna, or two bars without it.

How about trying the K4511 in a compatible router, eg the Vodafone R101 dock? I'm not sure what this means, but I'll check it out at the Vodafone shop when I get a chance.

MBB software updates - http://www.vodafone.com.au/help/mobilebroadband/   Windows - v10.1.1.26030 -  You may be right about this, but unfortunately the file is about 100 MB and I couldn't download it over the K4511, which is all I have at the moment. (I still have the Optus account, but installing the Vodafone modem somehow stopped the Optus modem from working on this computer.)  I'll try downloading the software update again when I  have access to an ADSL connection.

Thanks very much for your help.

[kitykatz]

Hi Charlotte,

Yes, I've tried the modem in other locations - driving to supermarket carpark in various suburbs, for example. 

Sometimes it works without any problem, and sometimes I can't get a connection at all.

It's very bad during business hours, and it may be a coverage issue, as people have suggested. 

[Peter]

Hi again.  I like the Q&A format in your replies.

OK, to the Vodafone R101 dock, or Sharing Dock, as they call it.  Vodafone gave me one when I had broadband problems. It works well, even better with the latest firmware. No probs with the K4511. Retail price was around $45 or so.  My local Vodafone shop had a bunch of them in a cupboard.  They run from a 12 volt AC adaptor, so hope that doesn't crimp your on-road mobile broadband trips.

Read all about the R101 here:

http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/wireless-internet/mobile-broadband/wireless-modems/sharing-dock/

R101 Documents & downloads

http://www.vodafone.com.au/help/mobilebroadband/sharing-dock/index.htm

PS  They were pretty adventurous naming it the R101, which was a 1920s British dirigible that crashed and burned. 

When you do get access to ADSL, make sure to download the very latest software from the link I gave.  Cheers.

[Charlotte]

---

kitykatz wrote:

Hi Charlotte,

Yes, I've tried the modem in other locations - driving to supermarket carpark in various suburbs, for example. 

Sometimes it works without any problem, and sometimes I can't get a connection at all.

It's very bad during business hours, and it may be a coverage issue, as people have suggested. 

---

Hi kitykatz,

Thank you for getting back to me.

It sounds to me like it may be a coverage issue due to the fact that sometimes it works with no problems. I'd like to look further into your coverage and your account.

I'd like to take the conversation private now so that I can arrange our Network Team to contact you and so I can look at your exact home address. I've sent you a Private Message with my contact details.

Look forward to hearing from you so we can look into this for you.

Thank you,

Charlotte

[kitykatz]

Hi Charlotte,

I'm not sure what it means when you say that it may be a coverage issue, and I would greatly appreciateit if you could let me know what this means.

In the meantime, I've taken a couple of screenshots of a couple of failed connection attempts.

1. http://tinypic.com/r/1606dtt/5 - this was today at 5:43 pm, the 4th failed attempt to connect. There are 3 bars of 3G signal.

2. http://tinypic.com/r/2hi8l6f/5 - this was at 5:50 pm, the 5th failed attempt to connect. There are 5 bars of 3G signal.

After the 6th failed attempt I unplugged the modem, then deleted all the devices from Control panel/Phone-Modems, as previously advised by the Vodafone call centre. Somethimes this works, and sometimes it doesn't. Today it worked, and I finally got a connection a few minutes ago.

Unfotunately for me I have to do something else know, and I will lose the connection when my computer powers down, and then I may have to go through the same lengthy process to re-connect.

So this is why I would like to know what "coverage issues" means.

Thank you very much for your help.T