Panasonic Toughbook Series Supplementary Instructions Manual

Contents

safety precautions

IntroductionThe Sierra Wireless SB555 OEM CDMA modem is an embeddedwireless modem for cellular and North American PCS networks. Itenhances the functionality of your Toughbook by adding high speedwireless data service.The SB555 modem functions as a wireless network card. It allows youto connect to the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and connect to acorporate network, without the need of a network cable or phone line.The SB555 modem is designed to provide a wide range of capabilitiesusing CDMA network technology. Implementation of these featureswill depend on the particular service provider and account featuresyou have chosen. Some features described in this manual may not besupported by your service provider or may not be available with yournetwork account. Contact your service provider for details of theservices and accounts available.CDMA2000 1X servicesThe Sierra Wireless SB555 modem operates over a type of wirelessnetwork called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).CDMA technology provides a variety of connectivity features,depending on your service provider and account:• high-speed packet data, sometimes known as 1xRTT, thissupports Internet connections with data rates up to 153.6 kbps(downlink) and 76.8 kbps (uplink). Actual speed will dependon the network.• Circuit switched (dial-up) data, using the earlier CDMAIS-95 specification, supports data connections to any dial-inservice at rates up to 14.4 kbps.• SMS (Short Message Service), allows you to send andreceive short text messages using the SB555 modem.A CDMA service provider accountCompanies that operate CDMA networks and provide access to thesenetworks are called service providers. You must have an account witha CDMA service provider to use the SB555 modem.Each SB555 has been provisioned at the factory for use with aparticular service provider. This sets the SB555modem to useparticular radio channels and enable services specific for that provider.The process of setting up your account is called activation. Activationinvolves action by the service provider and configuration of the SB555modem. The procedure to configure (activate) your SB555 modem iscovered in “Activation” on page 5.11