Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I bought Z61t with integrated GSM modem, which do not work in country where I am now. This modem is pretty standard MiniPCIe card, so I'm considering replacing it with another module working in Poland.

Thinkpads have blacklist for wireless cards. So here a question: is similar blacklist in place for GSM modems?

Has anyone replaced original GSM modem?

Yep, same thing with WWAN cards.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44451

There appears to be an ulocked GSM modem available from Lenovo. The problem is, I do not know if your model of ThinkPad includes this card on it's Whitelist. Resellers are listing the card for $575 US. Ouch

System service parts X60 tablet, X61 tablet wrote:Sierra Wireless MC8775 PCI Express MiniCard
SIM unlock
42T0901

You may be better off just getting an PC Card, GSM modem.

Also, a genuine Lenovo WWAN that works for X61/s may not work for Z61t.

Thanks for replies. I'm little mad at Lenovo. Of course I can buy PCIMCIA GSM Modem, but is seems weird, as my laptop already has GSM antenna and place for this kind of modem :(

(and BTW, GSM Modem I'm talking about is WWAN card; EVDO, HSDPA are parts of GSM standard)

zdzichu wrote:(and BTW, GSM Modem I'm talking about is WWAN card; EVDO, HSDPA are parts of GSM standard)

EV-DO is basically a CDMA based technology and has nothing to do with the GSM standards.

Similarly HSPDA is basically a UMTS based technology and again has nothing to do with GSM standards.

Cheers,

Bill B.

bill bolton wrote:Similarly HSPDA is basically a UMTS based technology and again has nothing to do with GSM standards.

While I suppose that is technically correct, it is nevertheless the technology used by the GSM providers for their 3G data network. In fact I have read that HSDPA can support a voice and data call simultaneously on one line. This was not available with EDGE or GPRS.

GSM Association wrote:"HSDPA is the natural next step in the evolution of GSM. It will bring broadband speeds to mobile networks."
Alan Harper, Group Strategy Director, Vodafone Group plc.

http://hspa.gsmworld.com/hspa-technology/default.asp


EV-DO is not used by GSM providers to the best of my knowledge.

GomJabbar wrote:While I suppose that is technically correct, it is nevertheless the technology used by the GSM providers for their 3G data network.

Since a GSM device will not connect to UMTS there's no way that UMTS can be regarded as part of the GSM standards group.

UTMS can utilise a lot of GSM (aka 2G) infrastructure, which is why the GSM operators like it, but it is not GSM and was designed to be successor to GSM!

You need a multi-standard device (such as Nokia 6233 phone) with UMTS technology support to access 3G capability. The device switches modes from GSM to UTMS when in operates in 3G capability mode.

Cheers,

Bill B.