I’ve spent the last half an hour or so trying to find a free way to unlock (debrand) a Huawei E160 3G USB modem locked to O2 so we can use it in Poland/any country, and after lots of fiddling I figured it out (this also works with E160E and isn’t ISP specific, if you have an E160G download this RAR (16MB) file instead of the one below)..

Download this RAR file (17MB), unpack it to a directory of your choice, remove the SIM card from your dongle then plug the bugger in.

Ensure the ISP software is installed so the OS detects the dongle and installs the drivers, close any ISP applications related to the dongle so it isn’t being used for a current internet connection then run “E160Update_11.608.05.00.00.B409.exe” and follow the instructions to update your firmware to “11.608.05.00.00“, once that’s completed leave your dongle connected and run “UTPS11.031.02.01.03.B409.exe” (or “UTPS11.300.05.00.03_MAC11.202.08.00.03.exe” on the E160G), this will return your dashboard to the default Huawei (Mobile Partner) dashboard and remove the locked ISP dashboard.

That’s all folks, apologies for all the bracketeering and chaos – I rushed writing this!

Edit – The XP drivers for the modem (actually the E169 drivers, but they’re generic across the E16X range) are here – 220KB.

Three hours in.. Three hours (and eight days) left.

Good job we‘re going on holiday(s) soon, woot!

The truth..

I’ve just fixed a bug in the search form (above the banner and on the right – In case you didn’t know it was there)..

Press enter after you’ve typed your search query. KTHX.

I love David Mitchell!