Dell PP05XB, M1710 owner manual Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network

Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card

NOTE: If you are unable to connect to a wireless network, ensure that you have all the components for establishing a WLAN (see "What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection" on page 80), and then verify that your wireless network card is enabled by pressing <Fn><F2>.

You can turn your computer’s wireless networking function on and off by pressing the <Fn><F2> key combination. If the wireless networking function is turned on, press <Fn><F2> to disable it. If the wireless networking function is turned off, press <Fn><F2> to enable it.

Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell™ QuickSet

The wireless activity indicator provides you with an easy way to monitor the status of your computer’s wireless devices. Right-click the Dell QuickSet icon in your taskbar to select or deselect Wireless Activity Indicator Off to turn the wireless activity indicator on or off.

The wireless activity indicator displays whether your computer’s integrated wireless devices are enabled or disabled. When you turn the wireless networking function on or off, the wireless activity indicator changes to display the status.

For more information about the wireless activity indicator, see the Dell QuickSet Help file. For information about QuickSet and how to access the Dell QuickSet Help file, see "Dell™ QuickSet Features" on page 49.

Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network

Much like a WLAN, a Mobile Broadband network (also known as a WWAN) is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other through wireless technology. However, a Mobile Broadband network uses cellular technology and therefore provides Internet access in the same varied locations from which cellular telephone service is available. Your computer can maintain the Mobile Broadband network connection regardless of its physical location, as long as the computer remains in the service area of your cellular service provider.

What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection

To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need:

•A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard

NOTE: For instructions on using ExpressCards, see "ExpressCards" on page 71. Also, see the Quick Start Guide that came with your ExpressCard.

•Activated Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or activated Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) for your service provider

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Setting Up a Home and Office Network