Sierra Wireless AirCard 550PCS Connection Card, User Manual, Page: 60 / 184

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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Sending and receiving email
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Uploading and downloading files (FTP)
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.) This connection has
average speeds of 50-70 kbps with a maximum speed of up to
144 kbps.
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.