A: Your dongle is showing a 2G signal for voice/SMS towers. Data services are disabled on that band for your SIM profile. The tower is telling your dongle: "I see you, but I won't serve you data."
The good news? You can absolutely upgrade your service to 4G while keeping your existing phone number. The better news? You can often do it for free. idea 3g netsetter upgrade to 4g
In 2020, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) allowed operators to shut down 3G networks to refarm the spectrum (the 900MHz and 2100MHz bands) for 4G and 5G. Vodafone Idea (Vi) began a phased shutdown of 3G services starting in and completed it by mid-2022 . A: Your dongle is showing a 2G signal for voice/SMS towers
In the annals of internet history, the 3G USB dongle—branded colloquially in many markets as the "Netsetter," "Data Card," or "Stick"—was a liberator. It untethered laptops from landlines and Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing journalists, field agents, and students to access the web from moving cars and rural outposts. You can absolutely upgrade your service to 4G
If you have confirmed that your dongle hardware is 4G-ready (perhaps you bought it recently), you might just need a SIM swap.
To fully transition to 4G, you must address two components: your 1. Upgrade Your SIM Card
What does this mean for your 3G Netsetter? Even if you insert a 4G SIM, the device will search for a 3G signal. In most places, it will find nothing. At best, it might latch onto a weak, residual 2G signal (for voice, not data). Your 3G Netsetter is essentially a paperweight for data connectivity in 2025 and beyond.