Sierra Wireless AirCard 550, User Manual

Page: 56 / 175

Section 3: Using the PCS Connection Card
50 3B: Data Connections
The Basics
The GO button on the PCS Connection Manager window is used to
launch data connections for any of these purposes:
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Browsing the Internet
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Receiving email
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Dialing into your corporate network
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Sending and receiving faxes
The PCS Connection Card functions as a network card using a PCS Vision
data connection. In this type of connection, the card establishes a high-
speed (PCS Vision) Internet connection to the CDMA network. (You do not
need to provide a phone number and there is no dialing involved.) The
maximum speed of this connection is 144 kbps but it is only available in
areas where PCS Vision has been implemented.
Note: Depending on your billing plan, there may be a surcharge for
PCS Vision calls.
Note: You cannot make phone calls with the PCS Connection Card during
active PCS Vision connections. You can make phone calls during dormant
PCS Vision connections. (See page 52.)
The PCS Vision connection provides access to the Internet. Once the
connection is established, you can open your browser and connect to any
Web site that is accessible through the Internet, or access other Internet
services (such as email).
The PCS Connection Card is “active” in a PCS Vision connection when
data transmission is occurring. If data transmission stops for a period of
time, the card becomes “dormant”. (See page 52.) You can place voice
calls while the card is dormant, but not while the card is active.
If you also use another wireless network card with your computer, eject the
additional card before you use the PCS Connection Card. Under some
operating systems, if both cards are inserted, then the path that the Internet
Protocol (IP) traffic will take is not predictable. If the data gets routed
through the other card, you will experience slower data transfer rates.