Use Sim Phone to connect WWAN for laptop

Have you heard of a laptop with a Sim slot of a mobile phone? It may sound strange, but some high-end laptops currently have this feature. The aim is to assist you with wireless wide-area connection via the WWAN network.

Users of laptops who want to access data and exploit wireless information currently have only two methods of using the wireless local area network (Wireless Local Area Network or the common name Wifi) or the wireless wide area network WWAN. (Wireless Wide Area Network). Both standards allow data access via computers or PDAs without wires. If Wifi is common, WWAN is still new to domestic users.

WWAN differs from Wifi in that it uses the same network partition technology as UMTS, GPRS, CDMA2000, GSM, CDPD, HSDPA or 3G to transfer data. WWAN has very wide coverage and is often provided by mobile phone service managers. If Wifi often serves the need to access information in a fixed area in a small area, WWAN is very convenient for those who often have to move around. To exploit the WWAN connection, the laptop must have a wireless WWAN modem connected to the center via radio waves (similar to cell phones).

Pros and cons of WWAN

Dell Inspiron 700 m with WWAN Modem via PCMCIA slot

The 802.11b standard of Wifi can transmit maximum data at 11 Mbps (an average of 1-4 Mbps) compared to the WWAN, which is very modest. GPRS (popular with existing GSM networks) has a maximum speed of 115 Kbps and CDMA 2000 1xEV-DO up to about 2.4 Mbps.

While Wi-Fi often has trouble with signal interference if there are too many people using the same Access Point, WWAN does not encounter this situation but the speed is much lower. Data security is the biggest weakness of Wifi but it is the strength of WWAN.

Regarding the broadcast point, Wifi is usually only arranged in public places such as cafes, airports . while WWAN is present in almost anywhere mobile phones can be used, ie even wider than WiMAX. Of course to pay for this advantage, you will have to spend more money when using WWAN than Wifi. For example, Vinaphone's GPRS service is currently priced at 91 VND / 10 KB, which is much more expensive than Wifi (usually free or much cheaper if there is a charge in some locations).

To use WWAN, what do you need?

Currently on the market there are many types of computers equipped with the ability to connect to the WWAN network through Dell XPS M1210 signal receiver with Dell Inspiron 700m slot with WWAN modem via PCMCIA radio partition (GSM modem or CDMA) built-in device allows users to send and receive data signals.

Dell XPS M1210 with Sim slot

Typically, these modems are mainly integrated on small and light mobile computers for high-end users, especially businesspeople such as Sony's TX, UX series, IBM-Lenovo X series or some models. Dell XPS . If you do not want to use a computer with this feature built in, you can choose a laptop with a SIM card slot of your mobile phone or a SIM card via a device that plugs into the PCMCIA (main) or USB slot .

To know if your laptop has WWAN built-in, you must consult with the manufacturer or refer to the attached document. Sometimes the integration of WWAN modem also depends on the choice of the buyer to those who allow to customize the configuration.

As with mobile phones, if you buy an external WWAN modem sold by some overseas service providers (eg Cingular, Verizon), it is possible that they will be locked to Sim. To be used in Vietnam, you need to unlock (unlock). Some carriers like Sony allow users to unlock networks for integrated modems by calling the technical center in the US and then receiving a special code.

However, because the telephone network in Vietnam only supports GPRS and recently improved to EDGE, the access speed is low and the cost is large. Of course, in principle, you can attach any Sim to GPRS connection (similar to using a mobile phone as a modem). You can plug Vietnamese Sims PCMCIA Modem using CDMA CDMA and set up dial parameters on the computer according to the instructions of the service provider (usually available on the website). The speed of EGDE is a bit slow, so using it will not be as fast as UMTS / HSDPA of foreign 3G networks. However, if to send and receive email or chat very well.

Models of laptops equipped with typical WWAN

Sony is the first major computer manufacturer to offer a WWAN solution built into the laptop, so it is not uncommon for the brand to have the most WWAN connected computers in the world, even in Vietnam.

Vaio T series is one of the models with good GPRS usage including the latest EDGE technology applied by Vinaphone and MobiFone. In addition, you can also refer to Vaio U series, IBM-Lenovo series T or X (X60, X61, T60 .) or Dell XPS M1210 . Usually WWAN supported machines have extra antennae sticking out at the side.

Experience of use

With regular GPRS, you can access the speed of dial-up connection (about 50 Kb / s). If moving into an area with EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) coverage, the speed may increase to 100 - 130 Kbps. Currently many areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have EDGE coverage, you can use PDA for detection. If the network signal symbol changes from G (GPRS) to E (EDGE), that area supports EDGE. Since EDGE is not 100% currently covered, the network speed will be unstable when you move continuously, such as sitting in a car. Rates are also different depending on the provider.

With Vinaphone, if you only pay 100,000 VND / month, you will be able to use 24 MB of data, if you want to use a lot, you have to pay 250,000 VND / month. Although still very high but compared to more than a year ago, these are acceptable numbers (about 10 times cheaper). You should also note that sometimes using a mobile phone to make a modem is much cheaper than signing up for a WWAN service package, especially when you go abroad, of course you need a machine that supports indirect modem functionality. for computers. Even some types of Bluetooth phones can allow you to connect to a computer (Bluetooth must also be available).