Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 - Manual (Page 12)

User Guide
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Service provider
Companies that operate CDMA networks and provide access
to these networks are called service providers. You must have an
account with a CDMA service provider to use the AirCard 580.
Note: You can use the Lock
Code feature to prevent others
from using your account should
your AirCard be stolen. (See
Chapter 4: “Watcher Basics”,
page 25 for more information on
this security feature). Each service provider has its own pricing options. There may
be flat rate accounts, which provide you a maximum number
of minutes of network usage for a fixed monthly fee. There
may be accounts for which you are charged for network usage
by the minute or by the amount of data transmitted.
Each AirCard 580 has been provisioned at the factory for use
with a particular service provider. This sets the AirCard to use
particular radio channels and enable services specific for that
provider.
The process of setting up your account is called activation.
Activation involves action by the service provider and configu-
ration of the AirCard 580.
The procedure to configure (activate) your AirCard is covered
in Chapter 3.
The CDMA wireless network
Note: More information about
CDMA networks is available on
the CDMA Development Group
web site, www.cdg.org. This is the worldwide infrastructure providing the radio
coverage that allows you to stay connected. Made up of radio
towers, and a variety of network switches, routers, and servers,
the network is an interconnection of many service provider
companies.
Note: Most service providers
have coverage maps on their
web sites. There are CDMA networks, that operate in the frequency
bands supported by the AirCard 580 throughout North
America and parts of Latin America, Asia, New Zealand, and
Australia. However, each service provider operates a network
that covers a limited geographical area within the overall
CDMA coverage area.
Note: The fee for service is
usually higher when you are
roaming (connecting to a
network other than the one
belonging to your service
provider). Most service providers have “roaming” agreements with other
service providers, so that they can offer service outside of the
coverage area of their own networks. For example, assuming
you live in Seattle, Washington and travel frequently to
Vancouver, Canada, you can obtain an account with a service
provider in Seattle that has a roaming agreement with a
service provider in Vancouver. You would then have local
service in Seattle, and roaming service in Vancouver. (Most
service providers charge more for roaming service than local
service.)