5G broadband: will Three unlock my Greenpacket 5G hub so I can connect to Vodafone masts too?

[JohnR]

I bought the Three 5G broadband with the Greenpacket hub. Now that Three and Vodafone have merged, I should be allowed to connect fo Vodafone masts too, not just Three ones. But the Greenpacket hub is locked to Three because of the carrier lock, which knows of the old ID.

I'd like to try a Vodafone SIM in order to connect to Vodafone masts too (the 5G connection from Three lately has been absolutely terrible).

Now that the Vodafone-Three merger has been made official, will Three unlock my Greenpacket 5G hub and how do I go about it?

[MichaelP · Accepted solution]

Hi @JohnR,

As part of the merger, Three/Vodafone is in the process of allowing customers of each network to automatically use each other's network at no extra cost. 

This is automated, but does not involve changing carriers, SIM cards, or unlocking your devices. Your network will display as the provider that your plan is on.

You won't need to do anything to utilise the best available network at any given time, but the timeframe may vary between different areas for this to fully roll out.

Thanks,
Michael

[JohnR]

Thanks for replying, but that doesn't address my actual question. I'd like Three to unlock my hub so I can use a Vodafone SIM now.  How can I go about it? I don't want to wait until the new company decides to allow me to connect to Vodafone masts. 

[clivejo]

I might be wrong, but most of the contracts that come with 5G routers are actual rental's.  The Terms and Conditions say you must return the equipment back to Three if you cancel the contract.  If the device is not returned, they charge it to your account.  Therefore the device is never yours to unlock 🙁

[JohnR]

You might be right about unlocking to all networks, but note I only requested to unlock it to Vodafone, which is now the same company

[clivejo]

Technically they aren't the same company yet.  Your contract is with Three directly and they are still trading (selling contracts) under the Three brand.  vodafone is still doing the same.  The first step of the merger just means that vodafone masts will start to broadcast as 3 as well, so your equipment can also connect to them, seeing them as Three's network. They call this MOCN which stands for Multi-Operator Core Network, heres a link to a better description - https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/features/merger-sharing-mobile-networks-everything-you-need-to... 

It will probably be some time before we start to see one brand, if at all.  But the fact virtual operators like Smarty (owned my Three's parent company) and voxi owned by vodafone are still trading suggests that things will stay the same for a few years anyway.

I think your only option is to wait until they get around to upgrading your local masts to MOCN.  Then your Three SIM card will be able to use the previously vodafone only masts.

[jezza007]

I recall I did insert a non Three SIM. Then when you try to access the router admin page https://192.168.8.1 etc it will prompt for a Network Unlock Code - NUC, which if you contact three support they should provide it to you, you will need to tell them the IMEI number of router and mobile number of the SIM