Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 - Manual (Page 15)

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2 2: Getting Started
• The AirCard 580
software
• Your account and
coverage area
Before you can begin using the AirCard 580 wireless modem,
you must:
1. Install the Watcher software and the AirCard drivers.
2. Obtain a CDMA account (if this wasn’t done when you
purchased the card).
3. Activate an account and configure the AirCard to use your
account (unless the AirCard has been pre-activated).
This section provides an overview of this process.
The AirCard 580 software
The AirCard comes with this software:
• An application called Watcher™ that you use to manage
the AirCard and monitor your connections.
• The driver software that forms the interface between the
network card and your Windows operating system.
The Watcher software should be installed before you insert the
AirCard 580 for the first time. Detailed instructions are
provided in Chapter 3: “Installation Procedures”.
Your account and coverage area
Companies that operate CDMA networks and provide access
to those networks are called service providers. You must have
an account with a CDMA service provider to use the
AirCard 580. The process of setting up an account is called
activation.
Before you can use the AirCard, you must install the AirCard
software and ensure that your AirCard is configured to use
your account. Instructions on completeing these steps are
provided in the chapters that follow.
Once installed and configured, you can connect to the Internet
with the AirCard in any area in which you may obtain CDMA
1x-EV-DO or 1xRTT service. Your ability to obtain CDMA
service depends on these factors:
Note: Do not insert the AirCard
580 into your notebook’s PC
card slot until you are prompted
to do so by Watcher.