Thinkpads Forum

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I'm configuring a T61 with Mobile Broadband, and I don't know yet which kind (if any) of wireless integrated broadband will be useful out in the boonies. (I'm not actually moving out of the city til winter, and I can't test the coverage of Verizon and Cingular til I'm out there. The maps they have show it to be a marginal area.)

I have 3 questions:

1) Are the "integrated" WAN options the same as aircards? If I choose the Verizon one, let's say, and then later on I think Cingular has better coverage or service, can I get an aircard for Cingular and just put it in, even if I bought the computer configured with this "integrated" Verizon WAN?
(I realize there are service contracts to deal with, but my question is just about the actual hardware.)

2) One of the options at the Lenovo website is a whole separate configuration routine that you click into, which is specifically centered on "BroadbandAccess Built-In" from either Verizon or Cingular. (It's an option on the right if you go to the T-series Lenovo page). Is that just the same as choosing the Verizon or Cingular option on the main configuration page, or is it somehow more irreversibly built in to the computer?

3) If you configure a system through the routine mentioned in #2 above, you get a couple of different choices. One of those choices is Ultra Wide Band Personal Area Network. What is this, and is it worth paying extra for? Could it conceivably be helpful if I end up using a radio based broadband with a receiver on my roof, and some type of router in my house?

I might need to use that kind of internet connection, if my location is too marginal for cellular.

Thank you, thank you for any help.

#1: Yes and yes.

#2: I am pretty sure whatever option you choose, you are stuck with it.

#3: See following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_area_network

The price of these internal cards is quite steep - if you can even buy one after the fact. There is a separate card for each carrier. You cannot change carriers on the internal card.

While internal WWAN offers some convenience, I am not sure it is worth it. Personally I would just get an aftermarket PC card or ExpressCard WWAN card. If the service you choose is not acceptable at your location, you can always return the card within the trial period (usually about 2 weeks) without paying the Early Termination Fee. You can then try another carrier. At least some of the PC cards give you the option to plug in an external antenna if necessary.