AT&T SIM card already in WAN slot in new T400?

In the T400 I just got, I noticed an AT&T SIM card inserted into what I suppose is the WAN slot in the back of it, behind the battery.

Did anybody else find this in their computer? I only ordered the WAN-upgradeable option, not the actual WAN card itself. And the SIM card looks like a real one (at least, it has contacts on one side).

Any clue why they put that in there?

Or did they send me - GASP! a refurb?

- Tim

 

The one I got had a fake (contactless) SIM. odd.

 

Do you have a WAN card too, or just the SIM?

 

Well, I didn't order one, and can't see it in the Device Manager.
I would think it would be under Network Adapters, if it were there, right?

- Tim

 

Maybe they did it to enable standalone GPS without AT&T service?

 

My x200 regular was WWAN upgradeable and my x200 Tablet has an AT&T WWAN card built in. The x200 came with a placeholder SIM in the battery slot, but not an actual SIM card. The x200 Tablet came with an AT&T SIM in the laptop and a AT&T 3G card ( this one) that the SIM had come from with my manual.

 

How does the WWAN card show up in your Device Manager? I don't see anything like that in there. By the way, that's the SIM card that was in my computer, though there was no card it came from anywhere.

I wonder if they mixed up a blank and a real card, so there's someone out there that ordered a WWAN who has a blank card in it; either that, or the assemblers ran out of blanks and put a real one in even though there's no WWAN installed... huh.

- Tim

 

It shows up as an Erickson aircard under network adapters.

They may have mixed up/ran out of cards at the factory. Or they may just be providing SIM cards now (I got the x200 2 months ago) to make upgrading easier.

 

if I put an ATT sim card in my computer (from an active ATT phone) what will happen? Will I be able to connect?

How does ATT prevent someone from not buying the online service for $50 a month and just use the sim from the phone when needed?

 

I have a WWAN-equipped X61 which I use occasionally by inserting the 3G data SIM from my iPhone.

 

Do you have an unlimited data service plan from ATT?

what happens once you install the SIM. Do you have to go through any kind of sign up or log on process?

Thanks

 

To the best of my knowledge they have no prevention for it. However, unless you play for tethering service on your phone (not always available, about $10/month if it is) and they catch you, they can disconnect your phone AND charge you an early termination fee for violating your terms of service.