AirCard 800 Series Installation Manual - page 9
Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards
Note: If you purchased the
AirCard modem from a GSM
service provider, you may
already have an account.
Otherwise, your retailer should
be able to provide you with the
names of companies that
provide this service.
Note: The fee for service is
usually higher when you are
“roaming” (connected to a
network other than the one
belonging to your service
provider).
•
WCDMA 1900—used by North American service
providers
•
WCDMA 2100—used by European, Asian, and Australian
service providers
The AirCard 850 modem and AirCard 860 modem support all
of the 2G bands. The AirCard 850 modem supports the
WCDMA 2100 3G band (for use outside of North America).
The AirCard 860 modem supports the WCDMA 850 and
WCDMA 1900 bands (for North American use).
Your account and coverage area
Companies that operate GSM networks and provide access to
those networks are called service providers. You must have an
account with a GSM service provider that offers HSDPA or
UMTS service to use the AirCard modem’s 3G capability. (The
AirCard modem is backward compatible to 2G service.)
When you obtain your account, you are given a SIM card, also
called a “smart card” or “smart chip”. (Depending on how you
purchased your AirCard modem, you may already have an
account, and your SIM card may have been included in your
package.) The SIM card contains account information and
must be inserted in the AirCard modem anytime you use it.
Before you can use the AirCard modem, you must install the
AirCard modem software and ensure that your AirCard
modem is configured to use your account. Instructions on
completing these steps are provided in the chapters that
follow.
Once installed and configured, you can connect to the Internet
with the AirCard modem in any area in which you can obtain
GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, or HSDPA service. Your ability to obtain
service depends on these factors:
•
Proximity to a GSM network—You must be within the
coverage area of a GSM network in order to use the
AirCard modem.
•
Service provider—If you are within the coverage area of a
network that is not operated by your own service provider,
you can only obtain service if there is a roaming agreement
between your service provider and the network operator.
•
Account provisions—Your account may restrict your
usage to certain networks or limit the amount of time you
can use the network.
•
Frequency band—You cannot connect to networks
operating in bands not supported by your AirCard
Rev 3.4 Apr.06
9