X200s WWAN Module Options

[peanutz]

I'm about to buy a WWAN module for my X200s, checked Lenovo website and found 2 models listed on the Australian site: 43R9153 (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 70333.html) & 57Y2620 (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 73756.html). I talked to their technical support staff and was told that 43R9153 is specific for Vodafone network and 57Y2620 is for Telstra network and not Bigpond. There is no guarantee that these 2 cards will work with other network than that specified by them. I'm new to Mobile Broadband and not sure which one to go with so I don't want to be locked in by the card that I buy. Which one should I buy?

[EOMtp]

43R9153 ... I talked to their technical support staff and was told that 43R9153 is specific for Vodafone network ...

43R9153 is SIM-unlocked and will work with HSPA (HSDPA/HSUPA) systems worldwide (given that they use "standard" HSPA frequencies). Whoever told you otherwise is wrong.

[bill bolton]

with HSPA (HSDPA/HSUPA) systems worldwide (given that they use "standard" HSPA frequencies).

There's the rub.... there are some 3G modems that do 850/1900/2100MHz bands and, and others that do 900/1900/2100MHz bands.

You can't use a 850MHz band 3G modem on a 900Mhz band 3G service.

Anyway, both of the modems listed by the OP appear to be 850/1900/2100MHz band types. In Australia that means they will work with the Telstra NextG 850MHz network (which has BY FAR the best coverage) but not with the other 3G ISPs 900MHz band networks (including Vodafone).

Cheers,

Bill B.

[peanutz]

Ok, I spoke to both Lenovo Sales & Lenovo Tech Support. Lenovo Sales told me that 43R9153 is superseded and is replaced by 57Y2620. Tech Support guy told me that 43R9153 is for Vodafone and 57Y2620 is for Telstra. I read from a few forums and a couple of places mentioned that 43R9153 and 57Y2620 are same in terms of hardware but 57Y2620 has newer firmware. So... who do I believe?

[EOMtp]

43R9153 is superseded and is replaced by 57Y2620. Tech Support guy told me that 43R9153 is for Vodafone and 57Y2620 is for Telstra.

The information you were given is, at best, misleading. 43R9153 is unlocked, and this will work on Vodafone, but will also work on Telstra NextG, and others. 57Y2620 appears to be for Telstra only. Given that the frequencies are the same on 43R9153 and 57Y2620, the only conclusion to be drawn is that 57Y2620 is a card locked to Telstra.

The comment elsewhere about "newer firmware" on 57Y2620 makes no sense, since firmware is reflected in the FRU#, whereas 43R9153 and 57Y2620 are Part Numbers which indicate nothing with respect to firmware.

[peanutz]

So what about FRU#43Y6537? According to this site http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-73757, it's the FRU# for 57Y2620. Is it still locked to Telstra? Locked or Unlocked shouldn't matter apart from a hassle that I will have to call Lenovo and try to get it unlocked, right?

[EOMtp]

So what about FRU#43Y6537? According to this site http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-73757, it's the FRU# for 57Y2620. Is it still locked to Telstra?

FRU #43Y6537 is unlocked and represents the F3507g card with the newest firmware. Consequently, there is no technical reason that it is designated as "Telstra", since a card with this FRU# will accept any carrier's SIM and will work on any 850MHz 3G system.

Locked or Unlocked shouldn't matter apart from a hassle that I will have to call Lenovo and try to get it unlocked, right?

Lenovo does not and cannot assist in unlocking locked cards.

[bill bolton]

the only conclusion to be drawn is that 57Y2620 is a card locked to Telstra.

There is nothing to draw that conclusion on

In fact it is not locked.

3G services are available in Vodafone's 3G areas - compatible device required. In metropolitan and some regional areas, Vodafone's 3G network operates on UMTS 2100Mhz. In smaller regional areas with Vodafone coverage, Vodafone's 3G network operates on UMTS 900Mhz. All 3G 900Mhz devices available from Vodafone are 2100Mhz compatible. However, not all 2100Mhz devices are 900Mhz compatible. Customers with 2100Mhz devices that are not 900Mhz compatible will experience GPRS (or Edge, where available) coverage in 3G 900Mhz areas. Slower speeds can be expected outside Vodafone's Mobile Broadband areas. Individual customer experience may vary - many factors affect access, capacity and speed. See http://www.vodafone.com.au/coverage for details. - http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/ser ... /index.htm

[peanutz]

Lenovo does not and cannot assist in unlocking locked cards.

I think you are right. Lenovo tech support staff told me that they would provide a code to unlock the card but they don't assist me in unlocking.

[EOMtp]

Lenovo ... would provide a code to unlock the card ...

No, not even that! [Unlocking is simple once one has the code. However, Lenovo does not have the card-specific codes, and does not have the tools to generate them.]

[peanutz]

No, not even that! Unlocking is simple once one has the code. However, Lenovo does not have the card-specific codes, and does not have the tools to generate them.

Nothing is straight forward. Talking to different Lenovo staff get different information. mmmm perhaps, i should just buy a USB mobile broadband modem instead then.

[EOMtp]

Nothing is straight forward. ... http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-73757

We established that the above item is for Telstra NextG and is unlocked -- you won't need unlock codes or anything else. So is there still a question/problem you are trying to resolve?

[peanutz]

So is there still a question/problem you are trying to resolve?

Yep, one last question. In the hardware maintenance manual, it states that "When you replace FRUs, use new nylon-coated screws.". Does it mean I should order a screw kit from Lenovo? Can I just use the ones that come with the machine for this exercise?

[EOMtp]

As long as you don't strip the heads, you can reuse the existing screws at least once. Make sure to use a precision Phillips screwdriver of the correct size, i.e., one which fits the screw head well and with no play.

[peanutz]

Great.Thank you very much for your help.