WWAN Locked to Verizon?

[astro]

The WWAN that comes with selected T60s is described thus:

Wireless Standard: CDMA 1x EVDO
Wireless Type: WAN
Antenna: Ultra Connect
Description: Verizon Sierra CDMA2000
Frequency: 800MHz/1.9GHz
Wireless Implementation (Form Factor): Mini-PCIe

I just figured out that Telstra run a CDMA 1xEVDO network in Australia.

What I want to know is:
Is the WWAN implementation on the T60 "locked" to Verizon? Or can I pull it apart and change the SIM card (I think I saw this in the maintenance manual)?

[astro]

Seems like Bill and James have answered the question here:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=22874

[BillMorrow]

it should have been obvious to me that lenovo would lock up one ev-do supplier and that the sierra wireless card would be locked like most cell phones are locked to a single service provider..

now the question arises is it possible to unlock these cards in the same way one can unlock a cell phone given the correct codes..

i looked at the seirra wireless site and the picture and text do not mention a SIM card..
and even so a SIM card is not the key to unlocking a cell phone thus it is unlikely that changing the SIM if there IS a SIM in these things would not unlock it..

so i guess if i want to utoilize the WWAN in this T60p i must bite the bullet, bend over, grab my ankles and let verizon have their way with my wallet..

AND, i think, one must sign up for a one or two year contract..

regardless of whether they supply any hardware..

it sux if yoiu want my opinion..

[JHEM]

What I want to know is:
Is the WWAN implementation on the T60 "locked" to Verizon? Or can I pull it apart and change the SIM card (I think I saw this in the maintenance manual)?

You can pull it apart and change the EVDO card itself (mini-PCI), but there's no SIM card.

Yes, as far as I've been able to determine, it's locked to Verizon.

Regards,

James

[jeremivw]

Yes, as far as I've been able to determine, it's locked to Verizon.

Regards,

James

James, if you're right then the only solution may be a Sprint coded Sierra EVDO card and changing out a nonFRU card...do you know if the WWAN mPCIe is modular? Can it really be swapped out if it's nonFRU?

I've bee looking for more Sierra documentation on the card but it might prove futile...I'd really like to think the T WWAN platform is NOT locked to one provider...

EDIT: Nevermind on the modular...obviously it's modular if its mPCIe...but found this: http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc87x5.aspx
It's the card you'd need if you were goint to use Cingular, for instance. So the question becomes, when are the other providers going to get onto the miniPCIe bandwagon?