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    Dell Latitude E5520 - which WWAN card to get?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Bigsmoke, Aug 3, 2016.

  1. Bigsmoke

    Bigsmoke Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi all,

    I have an old Dell Latitude E5520. I want to add a WWAN card that will support LTE if possible, but I am not very familiar with WWAN card so I have a few questions.

    1. Does my Dell support only some older WWAN cards or the newer ones too?

    2. Which WWAN card should i get for LTE?

    3. What software to use to connect to LTE? Or is software dependent on the WWAN card?

    I am in Croatia on the T-mobile network, GSM 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, UMTS 2100 MHz and 900 MHz, LTE 800 MHz and 1800 MHz.

    Thank you! :D
     
    Bigsmoke, Aug 3, 2016
    #1
  2. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Just use the hotspot from your phone! Much easier :D
     
    TomJGX, Aug 3, 2016
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  3. pitz

    pitz Notebook Deity

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    Sierra Wireless MC7455 if you got the money. Cheaper, the MC7355 is a universal card. (much) Cheaper is the MC7700/MC7710 but you need to check the LTE bands supported against the ones in your area as either the 7710 or the 7700 will be better, depending upon your circumstance. I have a MC7700 that I use in North America, but I think the 7710 is generally more suited towards European use. But do your own research. If you have the money and are buying right now, the 7355 is a good more universal choice, and the 7455 is the grand-daddy of them all supporting LTE-CA.

    One issue I ran into is that I needed Windows 7 to actually be able to access the settings on the card, and then switch it into the modes I wanted. Password is usually "A182", BTW. So if you're not a hardware guy, this might not be a task for you.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2016
    pitz, Aug 5, 2016
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  4. pitz

    pitz Notebook Deity

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    1. Dell doesn't whitelist in the BIOS. So you can use anything.

    2. see above.

    3. Under Windows 10, its built right into the operating system. Under Windows 7, Sierra Wireless provides a connection manager that you use to connect in conjunction with the software already provided by Windows. The Sierra Wireless software also allows for incoming/outgoing SMS if that's supported by your carrier.
     
    pitz, Aug 5, 2016
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  5. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    You should really contact Dell support to find out if it has a slot for WWAN and WWAN cards come from your mobile provider to connect to their mobile network and some requires a SIM card to work together. And what WWAN you get will be based on your region not want you want.
     
    StormJumper, Aug 6, 2016
    #5