Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)
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.
NOTE: Even if you are able to make a call from your cellular phone in a specific geographical location, that location may not necessarily be within a
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
NOTE: Depending on your computer, you can use either a Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or
To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need:
•A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or
•An activated Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or activated Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) for your service provider
•The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility (already installed on your computer if you purchased the card when you purchased your computer, or on the CD that accompanied your card if purchased separately from your computer)
If the utility is corrupted or deleted from your computer, see the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility user’s guide for instructions. The user’s guide is available through the Windows Help and Support Center (or on the CD that accompanied your card if you purchased it separately from your computer). To access the Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 12.
Checking Your Mobile Broadband Card
Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the computer has a variety of configurations. To determine your computer configuration, see one of the following:
•Your order confirmation
•Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center
To check your Mobile Broadband card in the Windows Help and Support Center:
1Click Start→Help and Support→Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems.
2Under Tools, click My Computer Information→Find information about the hardware installed on this computer.
On the My Computer Information - Hardware screen, you can view the type of Mobile Broadband card installed in your computer as well as other hardware components.
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