The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    How does WWAN work?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by seiyafan, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. seiyafan

    seiyafan Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    326
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    How does the WWAN card on X220 work? Does it need monthly contract to have wireless on the road? Will it work in Europe or Australia?
     
    seiyafan, Apr 13, 2012
    #1
  2. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Think of it like the cell provider USB sticks that provide internet access. Most plans require a year or two commitment and therefore a monthly charge. There are some providers like Clear in the USA that allow you to purchase a month when you need it.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Apr 13, 2012
    #2
  3. seiyafan

    seiyafan Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    326
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    In other words if you take it out of the country you have to find provider in other countries that can support your card right?
     
    seiyafan, Apr 13, 2012
    #3
  4. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Yes, buy buying GSM data SIMs outside the USA is probably easier. Someone here will likely have a better answer on that.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Apr 13, 2012
    #4
  5. bogatyr

    bogatyr Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    85
    Messages:
    693
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    As long as the card supports GSM, you can buy a SIM in the country you go to and insert it into the laptop (usually under the battery). Then you can connect to their GSM service while in the country and you'll be billed at their rates.

    If you sign up with ATT and use an ATT SIM card, you'll be billed very high international rates while traveling. This is highly not recommended.

    Verizon unfortunately no longer offers their unlimited global plan for GSM service. I just missed out on getting one of their unlimited SIMs a while back :(.

    So again, pick up a local SIM wherever you go. That is how I do it in China and France. Well... how I used to when I had a ThinkPad.
     
    bogatyr, Apr 13, 2012
    #5