Betreff: Can't access kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafon...

vitaliy · ‎24.11.2019

Hello, I am a new Vodafone Kabel customer.

I recently received a welcome Vodafone package and trying to set up a router.

Since don't want to use default noname Vodafone router and I bought my own FritzBox 6490 Cabel router.

I use these official instructions to set up my FritzBox .

Following the instructions, I'm trying to register my router it on https://kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de

But, unfortunately, kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de is not accessible.

I tried different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, wget), http and https versions of the website, but nothing works.

I wrote Vodafone Support in WhatsApp with this problem a week ago, but nobody answered me yet 😞

That is why I ask you to help me resolve this problem.

Attaching a screenshot with the cable connection status of my router to give you more context.
Also, I can provide you my contract number and MAC of the router in private message.

PS. kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de is resolved by DNS, but doesn't ping.

$ ping kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de
PING kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de (10.16.129.14) 56(84) bytes of data.
--- kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de ping statistics ---
73 packets transmitted, 0 received, 100% packet loss, time 72066ms

reneromann · ‎24.11.2019

First thing: Is the 6490 is brand new retail box, e.g. has the article number 2000 2778 -AND- has NEVER been activated before?

Second thing: Could you please try if your line works if you use the rental device? I'd at first check if the line is ok, e.g. if the rental device works and provides internet, before setting up the 6490 - just to make sure it's a problem with the 6490 and not with the line itself.

vitaliy · ‎24.11.2019

1. I bought it on Ebay. Its Artikel-Nummer is 2000 2704. The previous owner used it in Vodafone network, but he said that he already terminated his contract. So, I guess the router shouldn't be linked to his contract anymore.

2. The rental device works, I can access any website with it. But kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de is not accessible even from the rental device.

reneromann · ‎24.11.2019

This box is not a retail box, but a rental device. So you won't get it activated in any means on your line.

Sorry to tell you this, but the box is worth nothing for you. If you can, you should ask the seller to give you your money back and return the box to him - as the box CANNOT be used anymore.

You'll definitely grab a box with the article code 2000 2778 for the 6490. All other article codes are rental devices that will NOT work.

@vitaliy schrieb:

2. The rental device works, I can access any website with it. But kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de is not accessible even from the rental device.

That's normal - there is no need to access the page once the device has been successfully activated. Therefor this page is neither accessible from the rental devices - as they're pre-activated - nor from already activated devices (in case you successfully registered a retail box).

vitaliy · ‎24.11.2019

Thank you very much for your help and the provided information.

But, it is really strange and pity.

Does it mean that you can only throw the rental router away as your contract is over?

If so, this is a disaster for ecology 😞

So, I have several questions to understand my options in this situation.

What if I buy a used retail router (not a rental one)? Will I be able to activate it? Or Vodafone bans MAC addresses of all used routers?

Since it is a software lock is there any way to eliminate this problem by for example changing MAC of a used router? I know that FirtzBox don't allow to change MAC, but other manufacturers usually provide this option.

reneromann · ‎24.11.2019

@vitaliy schrieb:

But, it is really strange and pity.

Does it mean that you can only throw the rental router away as your contract is over?

If so, this is a disaster for ecology 😞

No, but rental devices have to be returned at the end of the contract.

They'll then either be reset to factory defaults and provided to a new customer as rental hardware, or they're used as replacement devices in case another rental device fails -or- might be recycled if they cannot be used anymore (due to technological changes - like the "old" EuroDOCSIS 2.0 modems and the first generation of EuroDOCSIS-3.0 devices like the FritzBox 6360).

But in neither case they will become freely activatable on other lines - as they remain rental devices.

@vitaliy schrieb:

So, I have several questions to understand my options in this situation.

What if I buy a used retail router (not a rental one)? Will I be able to activate it? Or Vodafone bans MAC addresses of all used routers?

If you buy a used retail router (e.g. a used 6490 with the aforementioned article number 2000 2778), it can be activated IF (and that's the big IF) the "old" owner has "deactivated" it by connecting his rental device (and wait until it's fully connected to the internet!) -OR- if the "old" owner asks Vodafone to remove the retail router from his contract. Otherwise you may use "his" line (as the box is then still activated on the "old" contract).

vitaliy · ‎26.11.2019

Something strange just happened.

I reset the router to factory default settings before putting it to the box to send it back to Ebay seller.

The router rebooted and automatically opened kabelmodemaktivieren.vodafone.de.

I managed to link my contract number to the router there.

And currently, I am writing this using the Internet from this router.