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Is it possible for a 3G SIM for a USB modem to be locked so it won't work in a phone?

Hi all,
I'm in Spain and there's a mobile data tariff Orange do here called 'Internet Everywhere' that has a 5GB data allowance, but it's for laptops with a USB modem dongle. The normal 3G tariffs for phones only go up to 512MB which is a bit low for what I want.
Now a guy in the Orange shop here said you can't use the SIM for the USB dongle in a normal phone, even just for data (I'm aware it won't work for voice), but I suspect this is BS, but obviously before signing up for an 18 month contract I want to be sure.
Orange offer the same tariff (and dongle) in the UK, and from a bit of Googling around it *seems* people have used the SIM in a regular mobile for data and it's worked, but the posts I found were a bit unclear. I've not managed to find any info about the Spanish version.
So! My question is, does anyone know of any way that Orange could be locking these SIMs so they'll only work in a dongle and not with a regular mobile?
I have a lock-free Touch Pro (you can't get these with a contract here so I paid the full price... ouch).
Thanks!

In israel Orange locks the SIM cards using a specific code for each of the modems so that you can't even moהe them between modems.
I think you should search in the Network section of the forum first.. if you don't find anything.. maybe someone could break it.. tho i'm pretty sure it isn't as simple as it seems.

Thanks for the reply

[Q] Cheap-o phone as wifi-only device- What are the perils?

I have done some searching bad have no found what I am looking for. This could very well be because I suck at thinking up good search terms.
Anyways, I am something of a smartphone noob. I have a TMobile vibant, which is my first smartphone. My child loves playing with various apps and games I have downloaded for her.
I had the idea of buying one of the very cheap, poor condition, phones off ebay so I can have my phone back.
My plan would be to never activate it on any cell network. I would connect via my home wifi, download some apps, then put it in airplane mode and let her have fun.
Questions:
1. Most of the cheap-o phones are cdma, which I have no experience with. If I never activate it on a network, am I likely to have any problems? I know that with my phone, if I pull the sim, I can still used it as a pda, but is that true of all phones?\, or do some require some sort of network login first?
2. Is there are way to disable a phone from making emergency calls? I don't want her accidentally doing that.
3. Other than the ethical questions of a "bad esn" phone, would one cause me any problems for this uses?
4. Are there are pitfalls to my idea that I should consider?

i have been using an old phone of my sons that way. its an old samsung moment (sprint) i down load new apps / games and try them out before i put them on my good phone

1. Though there may be some inconveniences with not being connected to a phone network (it will keep telling you to activate or put in your sim card) you will have basically the same ability as if you were connected besides making calls.
2. As far as I know, if the phone is not connected to a network, there is no possibilty of making a call. Some newer phones might be able to call over wifi but probably not.
3. Don't qoute me on it, but esn numbers are used only for cdma (no sim card) phones to connect to the network and for the network to identify what phone it is. When it has a bad esn, it is because it wont connect or activate to the network. You should have no problem.
4. This is something many people do. Its just like having an android iPod touch.
Hit thanks if I helped
Sent from my HD2

[Q] ROM to make smartphone into basic (dumb) phone?

Not even sure how to search for this and tried Google and some other forums, but settled on asking the question here when I couldn't find an answer.
To be specific: I have a Droid Incredible that is left over once a member of family plan upgraded to iPhone. We are on Verizon. Another member of the family plan has a basic phone (enV3) which is breaking so we need a non-data replacement. Since I have this extra Droid, I am trying to understand why we can't use it...
I know that Verizon requires a data package with any smart phone. My understanding of the magic you all do here is limited, but I have a vague thought that it has to do with ESN or MEID that tells Verizon what make & model phone you have, alerting them to the fact that you activated a smartphone on the line, and giving them the signal to slam some charges on the account for monthly data.
My question (finally) is why can't I just flash a ROM on the phone that disables the 3G antenna thing and makes the phone look like a basic phone to Verizon? Ideally I'd like to still have the ability to get on WiFi and use the phone features, just not the 3G data side of it. We already use it as an "iPod" like device. Even though it isn't activated, I can connect to Google Play and Amazon App Store over Wifi and install apps. I can check email. I can play games. I can even dial and get the operator where they say I can make a call if I enter a credit card. Why cant I keep all that functionality I already have and just hook it up to my family plan to make calls with it too? Maybe the answer is that it IS possible, but nobody is interested in creating such a ROM. Maybe there is some technical problem making it not feasible. Or maybe it does exist, but searching couldn't find it cause people rarely want to do such a thing...
I just want to learn why this cant be done, so someone enlighten me. If it actually can be done, all the better. Again, specific details are Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless family plan.

jmb.filter said:
Not even sure how to search for this and tried Google and some other forums, but settled on asking the question here when I couldn't find an answer.
To be specific: I have a Droid Incredible that is left over once a member of family plan upgraded to iPhone. We are on Verizon. Another member of the family plan has a basic phone (enV3) which is breaking so we need a non-data replacement. Since I have this extra Droid, I am trying to understand why we can't use it...
I know that Verizon requires a data package with any smart phone. My understanding of the magic you all do here is limited, but I have a vague thought that it has to do with ESN or MEID that tells Verizon what make & model phone you have, alerting them to the fact that you activated a smartphone on the line, and giving them the signal to slam some charges on the account for monthly data.
My question (finally) is why can't I just flash a ROM on the phone that disables the 3G antenna thing and makes the phone look like a basic phone to Verizon? Ideally I'd like to still have the ability to get on WiFi and use the phone features, just not the 3G data side of it. We already use it as an "iPod" like device. Even though it isn't activated, I can connect to Google Play and Amazon App Store over Wifi and install apps. I can check email. I can play games. I can even dial and get the operator where they say I can make a call if I enter a credit card. Why cant I keep all that functionality I already have and just hook it up to my family plan to make calls with it too? Maybe the answer is that it IS possible, but nobody is interested in creating such a ROM. Maybe there is some technical problem making it not feasible. Or maybe it does exist, but searching couldn't find it cause people rarely want to do such a thing...
I just want to learn why this cant be done, so someone enlighten me. If it actually can be done, all the better. Again, specific details are Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless family plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple answer is that changing the ESN of a phone is illegal and will not be talked about on XDA. Can it be done. Maybe but you won't any info here on it. A search for change ESN would have told you this.
Thread closed

[Q] Using a Three phone sim in a tablet blocked

I have a one-plan three sim that I have been using for ages as my unlimited portable internet access without any problems, then I put it in a tablet - still no problem. They don't mention any restriction on device use in the T&Cs. So I bought a PAYG SIM for my wife to use in her tablet. It worked for a few days then popped up with the message:
Taking your SIM card out of your mobile phone and putting it into a different device – like a dongle or tablet – isn’t what our phone plans of Add-ons were designed for.
There's no mention in the T&Cs of this but they obviously like the idea of me using it in a phone.
- - - My Questions are : How do they detect that a SIM is being used in a Tablet and not a Phone? (I'm assuming IMEI lookup or sth)
Are they going to do the same to my pay monthly SIM in my tablet?
How do I block it/reverse it if I need to (It's not in their T&Cs so it seems a little unfair)
There doesn't seem much on this when I googled it, though someone from PC Advisor had the same problem last year:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/opinion/...-only-pay-monthly-account-from-use-with-ipad/

beeste said:
I have a one-plan three sim that I have been using for ages as my unlimited portable internet access without any problems, then I put it in a tablet - still no problem. They don't mention any restriction on device use in the T&Cs. So I bought a PAYG SIM for my wife to use in her tablet. It worked for a few days then popped up with the message:
Taking your SIM card out of your mobile phone and putting it into a different device – like a dongle or tablet – isn’t what our phone plans of Add-ons were designed for.
There's no mention in the T&Cs of this but they obviously like the idea of me using it in a phone.
- - - My Questions are : How do they detect that a SIM is being used in a Tablet and not a Phone? (I'm assuming IMEI lookup or sth)
Are they going to do the same to my pay monthly SIM in my tablet?
How do I block it/reverse it if I need to (It's not in their T&Cs so it seems a little unfair)
There doesn't seem much on this when I googled it, though someone from PC Advisor had the same problem last year:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/opinion/...-only-pay-monthly-account-from-use-with-ipad/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm interested in this too. I had an All You Can Eat data sim (PAYG) in my iPad and it worked fine for like 6 months.
That was like between just before Christmas of 2012 up to June/July 2013. I used like 30GB a month, it was EPIC!
Then, one day, everything stopped working. Just like that! And no matter what I try it's never worked again since!
I've even tried different sims in different tablets. They all work for like a day then the next day they're blocked again.
You know how there are hacks out there that enable tethering without the carrier knowing you're doing it?
Not many of them work in my experience but I have come across a couple that have, and still "do" work.
Is there a hack of some kind that can bypass this detection of a phone sim being used in an iPad?

phone sim in tablet
Quiver2014 said:
I'm interested in this too. I had an All You Can Eat data sim (PAYG) in my iPad and it worked fine for like 6 months.
That was like between just before Christmas of 2012 up to June/July 2013. I used like 30GB a month, it was EPIC!
Then, one day, everything stopped working. Just like that! And no matter what I try it's never worked again since!
I've even tried different sims in different tablets. They all work for like a day then the next day they're blocked again.
You know how there are hacks out there that enable tethering without the carrier knowing you're doing it?
Not many of them work in my experience but I have come across a couple that have, and still "do" work.
Is there a hack of some kind that can bypass this detection of a phone sim being used in an iPad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the sameproblem with giffgaff. Does no one no a solution?
:crying:

I'm curious as to a solution too.
No need to spoon feed me if you dont have the time.. Further reading links will do

still no answer to this?

Anyone got around this? Ive a feeling its browser based.

Right,... So I'm a newbie from London, England. I splurged on a new Galaxy Tab S t705 to use as my primary phone. I unfortunately found that my line carrier (3mobile) have a block that prevents using a normal voice sim card phone plan on their tablets. I have complained to no avail that its a phablet because it has a stock phone app but they will not budge. For personal reasons, I dont want to move carriers, so Im between a rock and several hard places.
I have tried every way for 4 days to get around this (and in the promise have been come a semi expert on firmware, flashing, odin, custom recovery, rooting, etc. I've soft-bricked my device several times and encountered numerous bootloops.
The end result is that I am a considerably wiser android user and will never go back to Apple or Windows after being enlightened to the world of Droid, BUT...I can't crack this sim block. How do they know I'm using a tablet and how do I get around it. There's a drink waiting for anyone who can help me and thousands of other Brits solve this riddle.
:good::good::good:

The only info I have found is that I suspect it is browser based. As the internet seems to work fine for other things until you open a browser. Then it detects it and boom. SIM001 error.
This was on my Ipad. It was detecting both safari and chrome based sessions. So I suspect the build number of the browsers is what it reads. Of course this is all my own speculation. I ended up getting an ASDA mobile pay as you go for the rare occasions I am outside wifi with my iPad. If your tablet truly is a phone then 3 should allow you. But I appreciate you will get nowhere with there tech support. Computer says no.

The mobile service provider gets a lots of ID of your connection when you logon their network: SIM S/N, device IMEI, etc... and this is the important ID: the device. I guess they are able to identify the device as at least what kind, like phone, table, dongle, hotspot, etc... that's the only thing what they need... so my suggestion is changing the IMEI to another device to one which is on the whitelist. But I don't know how it could affect on the device...

[Q] AT&T: How do they recognize IMEI of smartphones?

I'm hoping to get a smartphone (either a Moto-G or Nexus 5) without having to pay for a data plan. Yes, I know there are dozens of topics asking whether or not this can be done; I've read everyone--that's why I'm making this new thread.
There are a lot of different things I see stated on ways to get around AT&T automatic application of expensive data-plans when they detect that you're using a smartphone. Some people have said that all you have to do is turn off 3G Data Use from the menu of the new phone BEFORE inserting a new SIM card, and then insert the old dumphone sim card and everything will work. Some people make vague allusions to changing the IMIE--to which some people claim that's illegal, and others claim AT&T or random clerks at Radio Shack will do this for you upon request. Still others claim that all you need to do is install a "data blocker" program onto the smartphone before switching SIM cards, and it will do the trick.
The basic goal seems to be "hiding" the IMEI number from AT&T.
So, my question: how does AT&T recognize the IMEI number? Will they see it only if the phone is active on their 3G/4G/LTE networks? Or do they see it "through" the normal dumbphone calling networks?
My apologies if this is a stupid question. I really don't know anything about phones are anything about non-PC electronics or software in general. Basically, I'd like a smartphone but refuse to pay an exhorbitant monthly fee for a feature I'd never use (wifi is everywhere I go), and am not in a position where I can switch carriers, and it's like I'm part of a(n evidently sizable) demographic that no one wants to market to.

If times haven't changed too much from when I tried the same thing 2 years ago, you should just be able to request that all data on your line be blocked. I would try calling them before you switch the SIM to the smartphone and ask for all data to be disabled to your line, then swap the SIM. I would also leave the data turned off on the smartphone for good measure. This is basically how I got around your same issue with AT&T, and it doesn't have to necessarily come down to illegally changing the IMEI or "hiding" the IMEI from the carrier. Eventually they'll cross-check your device and figure out it's a smartphone and add your data. But to my knowledge, the adding of the data is all automatically done by computers; so if the system sees that all data is disabled for you, it shouldn't attempt to add anything.
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