Sierra Wireless AirCard 850, Installation Manual, Page: 8 / 34

AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide
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Your account and coverage area
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.
You must have an account with a GSM service provider to use
the AirCard modem. To use the modem’s 3G capability, your
account must be with a service provider who offers HSDPA /
HSUPA or UMTS service. (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.
Once the AirCard modem is 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 /
HSUPA service.
Your ability to obtain service depends on these factors:
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).
• 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
modem, regardless of roaming agreements or account
provisions.
Most service providers have coverage maps on their web sites.