People have bought them to use abroad with their Vodafone accounts. That was illegal and Vodafone now have checks in place to try and ensure they are only used in the UK.

Perhaps the unit for whatever reason can only authenticate one device.

My phone works fine, when I remove my wifes phone she gets the txt message confirming her phone has been removed. When I add hr phone she gets the txt saying she has been successfully added.

I'm wondering if it's something to do with the firmware on the Galaxy Y and the Galaxy mini2. Both phones have the latest firmware for them, but it isn't as up to date as my Galaxy S2.

Perhaps you are right here. I notice lots of issues on forums with people using these phones...

When you buy one of these 2nd hand, the previous user must have unregistered the unit from their account. The new user then logs into their mobile phone account on the Vodafone website and registers the unit on their account. Vodafone then activate the SS (probably automated, I can't see some poor sod doing it manually) and away you go.

You also have to registered the location of the SS, postcode, building numner, floor etc. so (asuuming you don't lie) there are several ways that Vodafone knows who has the SS, most obvious being the account the device is registered too. Vodafone didn't sell me mine and it's working fine. If this was illegal then I would have expected in the terms and conditions that Vodafone would require the SS to be return at the end of its life and not re-register them with a different person.

In reply to a post by fredfox:

If this was illegal then I would have expected in the terms and conditions that Vodafone would require the SS to be return at the end of its life and not re-register them with a different person.

and they would have to rent them, and not sell them.

EE (Orange/T-Mobile) and Three and I think O2 have them, but only lend/rent them to people in bad coverage situations who have been valued customers (ie, monthly bills over £100 for a long time, generally).

These broadband femtocell's are a constant cost to keep secure.

I've put a laughing face on this as it is the only thing you can do at vodafone (utter pants company).

Right, I'm not a techie but have got so frustrated at vodafone sure signal. I've learnt how to get them to work.... MUCH BETTER than their useless support. So here is what you have to do:

1. Understand the port forwarding on the router (this may change for different routers..)
2. Understand the network mode of your phone.
3. Don't rely on support understanding their own system, they simply don't..

Answers:
1. Ports
So, below is a list of ports that you need to open on your router and make sure they are left open:
Port 8 opened on TCP UDP

Port 123 opened on TCP UDP

Port 50 opened on TCP UDP

Port 500 opened on TCP UDP

Port 4500 opened on TCP UDP

2. Network mode on phone.
Forget what Vodafone say, the phone can be on either GSM/WCDMA (AUTO MODE) OR ON WCDMA.

Sorry, I use a samsung S3, so on that phone this is where you find out where to change these setting easily (other phone, just google it)

These settings can be found in: Settings/more settings/mobile networks/network mode

3. if you don't know know to open ports on your router DO NOT ASK vodafone or your ISP, they do not want to get involved in changing settings... simply do what i did, google it and find some techie cone head (bless them, they are helpful though).. and follow their instructions.

I will happily help if you need any if I have the time.

I don't mind helping as I have wasted a week of my life fixing the frustrating sure signal boxes.... The boxes actually work well once you work out how to use them. It's just a pity that Vodafone are useless.

When i got mine and took it back to the shop, they admitted that all of their staff bought one and all didn't work... all!!!

I hope I helped.


Mat