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Unlocking Huawei E173 U-1 Modem USB Stick And Enabling Voice Functions

Huawei Logo 151x151Unlocking a Huawei E173 U-1 HSDPA Modem USB Stick, branded as Tchibo Internet-Stick, and enabling its voice functions is illustrated by using the software DC-Unlocker and updating to a firmware comprising voice functions on Windows 8.1. Finally, this modified Huawei E173 U-1 HSDPA modem USB stick is utilizable as a GSM Gateway on FRITZ!Box models which are capable for mobile broadband modem USB sticks, e.g. on a FRITZ!Box 7390.

I conducted the modification with the following set up:

The work around on Windows systems is as follows :

  1. Download and install the Huawei ‘Mobile Partner for Windows‘ software (version dated 12/05/2012).  
    Mobile Partner for Windows
    Mobile Partner for Windows » Post
    Setup.exe
    Version: 12/05/2012
    784.9 KiB
    20676 Downloads
    Details
  2. Insert the SIM-card, connect the Huawei E173 U-1 to your Windows PC and wait until it is installed completely. Do not install the Mobile Partner software provided with the E173.
  3. Download and install the latest DC-Unlocker software
  4. Start DC-Unlocker, select manufacturer ‘Huawei‘, select model ‘Auto detect (recommended)‘ and then click on the magnifier icon to run the DC-Unlocker detection: The detection results is that voice feature is ‘disabled‘ and that the SIM lock status is ‘Locked (Card Lock)‘.
  5. Close Mobile Partner and DC-Unlocker.
  6. Download firmware update 11.126.85.00.209.B427, extract the ZIP file and install it as administrator.
  7. Restart DC-Unlocker, select manufacturer ‘Huawei‘, select model ‘Auto detect (recommended)‘ and then click on the magnifier icon to run the DC-Unlocker detection: Now the detection results is that voice feature is ‘enabled‘ and that the SIM lock status is still ‘Locked (Card Lock)‘.

    Huawei E173 U-1: Status before unlocking and after firmware updating

    Source: miApple.me

  8. If you need to unlock the E173, buy credits (Prices). For unlocking this E173 I needed 4 credits (=4 EURO), paid per PayPal. Click on ‘Server‘ and login with your ‘user name‘ you created during buying credits and with the password which was sent to your email address after purchasing credits.

    Huawei E173 U-1: Check DC-Unlocker credits status after purchasing and logging

    Source: miApple.me

  9. Click on ‘Unlocking‘, select ‘Read Unlock Code and auto enter to modem‘ and click on ‘Do job‘.

    Huawei E173 U-1 - DC-Unlocker: Select and click on 'Do job' to unlock

    Source: miApple.me

  10. Click again on the magnifier icon to run the DC-Unlocker detection: Now the detection results is that voice feature is ‘enabled‘ and that the SIM lock status is ‘unlocked‘.

    Huawei E173 U-1 - DC-Unlocker: Status after unlocking and firmware updating

    Source: miApple.me

Cost-free alternative option to unlock the Huawei E173U-1:

  • Check and write down your modem model and its IMEI number.
  • Install Huawei Software ‘Mobile Partner’ to get your USB modem recognized on your PC. 
    Mobile Partner for Windows
    Mobile Partner for Windows » Post
    Setup.exe
    Version: 12/05/2012
    784.9 KiB
    20676 Downloads
    Details
  • Insert the unsupported SIM card in your modem and plug in to your computer.
  • Follow all the installation procedures until to the last prompt to ‘Input the unlock code‘.
  • For Huawei models get the unlock code from Huawei unlock code calculator or from Online Huawei Modem Unlock Code Calculator. You will be provided with two codes – the unlock code and the flash code.
  • Now copy the unlock code, paste it in where you are prompted to Input unlock code and press ‘OK‘.
  • Install DC Unlocker Client (Windows only) and check the unlock status.

Now your Huawei E173 U-1 is unlocked and voice functions are enabled!

Unlocking  Huawei E173 U-1 modem USB stick and enabling voice functions is simply done by using DC-Unlocker for SIM unlocking (costs are 4 EURO), or by the cost-free alternative option, and DC-Files for updating the firmware including voice functions (for free). This updated E173 U-1 USB modem can be used as a USM modem GSM Gateway on FRITZ!Box models like a FRITZ!Box 7390.

Stay tuned! 😉

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30 thoughts on “Unlocking Huawei E173 U-1 Modem USB Stick And Enabling Voice Functions”

        1. Tural
          Reply

          Hi i need help, trying to install soft for Huawei E173 U-1
          but something going wrong, that doesn’t work
          using Mavericks OS 10.9.1
          thanks in advance

  3. Pingback: FRITZ!Box: Setting Up A GSM Gateway Via A Mobile Broadband Modem Stick | miApple.me

  4. Juan C Guerrero
    Reply

    Hello i will successfully unlock all functions of my device but it dont show me any bottom in mobile partner please help me

  6. Kavindu Gamage
    Reply

    When I download the setup ‘data.bin’ does not download ! So it does not install properly.What should I do ? Thanks

  8. max
    Reply

    i have an huawii e173 modem 3g and update dashboard ..after update and reinstal not work the modem
    Device
    Device name: M6290
    Application port: COM22
    Serial number: XVABYA9241706013
    IMEI: 862910018028313
    Hardware Version: CDXXXXX
    Firmware Version: 11.126.16.05.755
    Software Version: 21.005.22.01.195

  12. Wert
    Reply

    This is a good one but many modems like the one I have have customized firmware thereby resulting in firmware update failed when upgrading the firmware. The only method that works on customized firmeware is temporary unlock which usualy relocks on unplugging and halting. By the way you can use a free software called huawei modem unlocker to unlock free of cost in contrast to the dc unlocker which is costly.

  13. Eckhard
    Reply

    Hi Gee,

    I’m about to test the installation on my 7390 as well. Any updates on UMTS sticks available, as those mentioned might not be available any more.

    Cheers
    Eckhard

      1. Eckhard
        Reply

        Hi Gee,

        that’s fine and if I’m not wrong, then the Huawei E173 should be still around. I’ll check it out later this week and try the job – using for GSM telefony on the FB7390. If not I come back again 😉 .

        Cheers
        Eckhard

  18. Amir
    Reply

    Thank you for your information.

    Unfortunately I update the modem with wrong firmware and I need qcn backup file.
    Could you please kindly share it.

    Found modem : M6290
    Model : Huawei E173
    IMEI : 868860001207859
    Serial NR. : XVABYA9312508684
    Firmware : 11.126.85.00.209
    Compile date / time : Jun 21 2010 20:27:27
    Hardware ver. : CDXXXXX
    Dashboard version : UTPS16.001.05.00.45_MAC15.001.08.01.45_LNX15.001.08.01.45
    Chipset : Qualcomm MSM6290
    Voice feature : enabled
    SIM Lock status : unlocked
    Wrong codes entered : 0 (unlock attempts left : 10)

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