Thinkpads Forum

Is a plug in usb key or card which will work with any carrier available for mobile broadband access without having to buy one from Verizon, et al? Does Lenovo make one?

I've never seen a Lenovo branded USB stick for WWAN access. However, Lenovo does make an internal card that works with multiple carriers, but it's only available on newer models. (GOBI 2000 card)
http://shop.lenovo.com/wireless-network ... 1399.shtml

What exactly is this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-T60-WLAN-Mobile ... 0521716617

It a Lenovo branded Sierra Wireless Mini-PCI Express Verizon Air Card for ThinkPad T60, R60, R61, X60, X61, Z61. Instead of playing 1000 Q's lets get down to it. What machine are you trying to put WWAN into and who is your ISP?.

Here's the story: I want mobile BB 3G or 4G on my T60. Can I plug a card in without having to buy or lease one from Verizon? Then I could choose the carrier with the best plan.

It is possible to put a WWAN card in a T60, but you'd need to choose a carrier first, and I believe you'd be limited to ATT or Verizon. Also you'd need an antenna, probably a new LCD lid, and a sim card holder, tied to a systemboad that supports a sim card holder. Possibly not practical to retrofit all of this ... an expresscard WWAN card might be your best bet...but again shop for a carrier first.

JerzeeDevil wrote:Is a plug in usb key or card which will work with any carrier available for mobile broadband access without having to buy one from Verizon, et al?

In terms of WWAN USB devices, I'm not aware of one that will work with any US carrier.

There are plenty though that will work all US carriers that uses UTMS/HSDPA 3G technologies. You need to make sure that the carrier you want use allows you to bring your own device to their service..... some may not allow it.

Cheers,

Bill B.