Close Menu
miapple.me – Tech.Blogmiapple.me – Tech.Blog

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Content Is Still King! 12 Years Of Blogging: miapple.me – Tech.Blog’s 12th Anniversary

    January 21, 2024

    Content Is King Again! 10 Years Of Blogging: miapple.me – Tech.Blog’s 10th Anniversary

    January 21, 2022

    Fixing: Time Machine couldn‘t complete backup

    April 30, 2021
    • Downloads
    • Email Subscription
    • Imprint
    • Privacy Policy
      • Push Notifications Subscription
      • Terms of Use
    • Search
    miapple.me – Tech.Blogmiapple.me – Tech.Blog
    • Apps
    • AirPlay
    • Apple
      • Apple TV
      • Apple Watch
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • macOS
    • iOS
    • HomeKit
    • Plex
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Windows
    • Downloads
    • Email Subscription
    • Imprint
    • Privacy policy
      • Push Notifications Subscription
      • Terms of Use
    • Search
    Subscribe
    miapple.me – Tech.Blogmiapple.me – Tech.Blog
    Home»Apps»Unlocking Huawei E173 U-1 Modem USB Stick And Enabling Voice Functions
    Apps

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

    Gee Are PabstBy Gee Are PabstDecember 28, 2013Updated:April 19, 201830 Comments4 Mins Read
    Huawei Logo 151x151

    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:

    • Windows 8.1 Pro running on a Acer Aspire 1810T
    • Huawei E173 U-1 / Tchibo Internet stick (Hardware version  CD1E153M, Chipset Qualcomm MSM6290, 7.2 Mbit/s via HSDPA, 5.75 Mbit/s via HSUPA) with micro SD slot, but with no connector for external antenna (Specifications Overview about E173 models):
      Huawei E173U-1 (Tchibo Internet-Stick): package content
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 (Tchibo Internet-Stick): status LED indicator
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 (Tchibo Internet-Stick): model number
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 (Tchibo Internet-Stick): Exact model number, IMEI, micro SD slot, SIM card slot
      Source: miApple.me
    • DC-Unlocker Client software (dc-unlocker_client)
    • Huawei E173 firmware with voice functions (11.126.85.00.209.B427)

    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).  [wpfilebase tag=”file” id=6 /]
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 1 - Run as administrator
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 2
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 3
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 4
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 5
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 6
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 7
      Source: miApple.me
      Mobile Partner Installation on Windows 8: Step 8 - Finished
      Source: miApple.me
    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.
      Huawei E173U-1 Installation on Windows 8: Step 1
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 Installation on Windows 8: Step 2
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 Installation on Windows 8: Step 3
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 Installation on Windows 8: Step 4
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173U-1 Installation on Windows 8: Step 5
      Source: miApple.me
    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)‘.
      Huawei E173 U-1 - DC-Unlocker: Check status before unlocking and updating firmware
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - DC-Unlocker: Status report before unlocking and updating firmware
      Source: miApple.me
    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.
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 1
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 2
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 3
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 4
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 5
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 6
      Source: miApple.me
      Huawei E173 U-1 - Updating to firmware 11.126.85.00.209.B427: Step 7
      Source: miApple.me
    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. [wpfilebase tag=”file” id=6 /]
    • 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! 😉

    Acer DC Unlocker FRITZ!Box FRITZ!Box 7390 GSM Gateway Huawei Huawei E173 Mobile Broadband Modem Mobile Partner Windows 8 Windows 8.1
    Previous ArticleFRITZ!Box: Setting Up A GSM Gateway Via A Mobile Broadband Modem Stick
    Next Article Unlocking Huawei E160 Modem USB Stick And Enabling Voice Functions
    Gee Are Pabst
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn

    Hi there,my name is Gee Are, blogger and analyst. Blogging is my Passion! I’m the founder and owner of the two blogs called pabst.socialmedia and miapple.me - Tech.Blog.My work experience as a blogger and analysist (Internet Intelligence, SEO and social media) is the basis of the services of pabst.socialmedia.Find more about me.

    Related Posts

    Android

    Calipio: Screen Recording Without Registration, E2E-encrypted

    February 15, 2021
    Apps

    How To Install iTunes On Windows 10 and Windows 8

    January 22, 2021
    Android

    Sync iCloud Calendars To Android

    January 18, 2021
    View 30 Comments

    30 Comments

    1. sivabalan on April 23, 2022 13:12

      during updating firmware for Huawei e173u-1, data card not found error code 2 message displays

      Reply
    2. Amir on January 13, 2022 14:33

      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)

      Reply
    ← Older Comments
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Top Posts

    Fixing ‘Cannot Connect MacBook To iPhone Via Bluetooth’

    May 5, 20167,500 Views

    Fixing No Notification Sounds On iPhone When Locked

    January 8, 20215,019 Views

    How To Fix MacBook Micro-Vibrations While Charging Due To Insufficient Grounding

    June 21, 20204,203 Views

    Fixing Mac No Admin Account On macOS Mojave Or Later

    February 3, 20212,328 Views

    Installing Huawei E3372 On macOS 11 Big Sur, Mac OS 10.12 Sierra And macOS 10.13 High Sierra

    August 11, 20162,159 Views

    Apple iCloud Mail Blocks Outbound Emails: Silent Filtering And How To Fix It

    December 1, 2020915 Views
    Featured Reviews

    Fixing ‘Cannot Connect MacBook To iPhone Via Bluetooth’

    May 5, 20167,500 Views

    Fixing No Notification Sounds On iPhone When Locked

    January 8, 20215,019 Views

    How To Fix MacBook Micro-Vibrations While Charging Due To Insufficient Grounding

    June 21, 20204,203 Views
    Our Picks

    Content Is Still King! 12 Years Of Blogging: miapple.me – Tech.Blog’s 12th Anniversary

    January 21, 2024

    Content Is King Again! 10 Years Of Blogging: miapple.me – Tech.Blog’s 10th Anniversary

    January 21, 2022

    Fixing: Time Machine couldn‘t complete backup

    April 30, 2021

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    • Home
    • Search
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    Copyright © 2012-2025 miapple.me™

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.