For those who own this modem and wish to compare other phone operators' services this is the HowTo to unlock the Huawei E220 modem (i.e if it will not accept foreign card)
This information is for educational purposes only
To begin you need
QMAT - QC Mobile Analysis Tool from this http://revskills.de/pages/download.html
An E220 unlocker tool (you may google it or use this) http://www.sfrentreprises.fr/elements/documents/espace-utilisateur/global_access/Huawei_E220.zip
Any hex editor of your choice (for the lazy ones http://www.handshake.de/user/chmaas/delphi/download/xvi32.zip)
Your locked modem
. A PC running MS-Windows
Optionally debranding software to change your modems inbuilt software (which comes branded with the logos and settings of the phone provider) this is usually referred to as the dashboard. (you will have to manually enter the settings, these are usually APN, username and password of the network u wish to use at the given moment) e.g. http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/doc/list.do?type=-1&id=736
The steps;
Insert your modem in the USB port and confirm it exists in the device manager under modems,
Start the QMAT tool, click on hardware forensics menu, select “Use Com/USB port”.
Under Serial/Com port, click on the drop down to select (something similar to Huawei Mobile Connect – 3G PC UI interface com XX)
Click on send command and u shld see some output on the status window. In the Diag functions, the default is set to “Save memory to file” change this to “Read EFS” and click on “Let Go” button. You shall be prompted with a SAVE AS dialog box to and name of the dump file.
The process shld take like 7-10mins to dump the memory of your modem and will create a file of exactly 65,536KB.
Once done, quit QMAT and open your hex editor, locate the file created by “Read EFS” function and open it. Using the search feature of the hex editor, search for the occurrence of HEX STRING “53 62 2C 00”
On the right hand side of the hex editor, you shall see a block of eight numbers. Congrats that is your unlock code.
With the modem still plugged in, run the E220 unlocker, key in the eight digits and press unlock. Presto! U may now use your previously locked modem with subscriber sim card of your choice.
These are the settings for various operators
operator APN username/pass
safcom safaricom or blank in a 3g coverage area saf/data (or any words u may choose for username/password)
zain ke.celtel.com internet/internet
orange bew.orange.co.ke
yu internet.
Enjoy