Can't send on FSMS-listed modem, have tried all options. Please help.

[Don Lotter]

I am in Tanzania.  I bought an FSMS-listed cell modem from Airtel – a Huawei E153, since my Zantel cell modem was not on the FSMS list and did not work.  

 

The Huawei E153 connects to FSMS on both of my Windows computers (Win 7 and XP). Under FSMS Phones tab, the modem is listed in Working Devices as connected, and the “Use for Sending” and “Use for Receiving” are both marked affirmative.

 

It receives SMS messages, but all Sent messages fail to arrive on different phones for both computers.  The messages are listed as “Sent” in the Messages tab. 

 

I have tried sending to numbers at different carriers, and have also tried the +255 option for numbers here in addition to the more commonly used “0” option. Not a single one has arrived.

 

I have tried connecting manually and selected Huawei driver but have had no luck.

 

PLEASE advise.  Do I have to buy yet another modem?

 

--

Don Lotter, Ph.D.
Institute of Development Studies
St. John's University of Tanzania

Dodoma, TZ
Mobile: [phone]
www.donlotter.net

 

[kiwanja]

Hi Don

 

No, you won't need to buy another modem. The one you have has connected fine, and the fact it receives proves that it's managed to fully connect to the network.

 

I'm assuming the SIM has credit on it? If you put the SIM in a regular phone, can you successfully send a message? Do you get an messages on the "Home" screen (texts from the network provider) instructing you to do anything? Is it a local SIM, i.e. from a Tanzanian operator? Do you have another SIM you can try?

 

Let us know what you get when you check the above. This won't be a driver or modem issue, but likely something SIM or operator related.

 

Ken

[Don Lotter]

Ken - That was it - no money in SMS account.  Dumb me.  I had confused the Airtel/Zain Internet account, which has money in it, with the Voice/SMS account.  Thanks.

Are you going to be in Dar es Salaam next week for the Mobile & Web Tech Conference?  If I meet you there I'll be a bit sheepish about this.

Best,

Don

[kiwanja]

Glad you've cracked it, Don! Quite often the problems are quite straightforward to solve if people persist.

 

I'm not at the conference in Dar next week, no - but best of luck (and say hi to Stephane Boyera for me). No need to hide behind any chairs, then.  ;o)

 

Ken