Novatel 760 modem with Airlink AR660W3G router

TNfarmer

I'm trying to set up a Airlink AR660W3G router with a Novatel MC760 (Verizon USB 760) modem. I can't get the modem to connect to the internet. The "modem into " link in the router setup program does not display any information (Modem mfg., model#, etc.). The router setup program asks for several modem parameters: PIN code, APN, Username, Password, Service (CDMA 2000 or 3G/3.5G) and AT Dial Script. Does anyone know wha these parameters should be or which ones are actually necessary. Neither Verizon or Airlink seems to know.

Also, does the fact that the router program does not display any modem info indicate a hardware problem? Shouldn't this info display even if some of the setup parameters were incorrect?

TNfarmer · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 1:44 pm Post subject:

Just an update on the situation:

I finally took the router, modem, and a laptop to the local verizon store. The service tech swapped me a Pantech UM175W modem (AKA Verizon UMW175, made by Startech) which works well with the AR660W3G router.

Neither Airlink Tech support or Verizon knows why the router did not work with the Novatel MC760 modem, but both guessed that the problem might be the Verizon firmware. Airlink tech support knew the router was tested with the Novatel modem, but they did not know if it had been tested with Verizon's firmware. It is also possible that my MC760 had a unusual defect which kept it from working when connected to a router but allowed it to work when connected directly to a computer.

For what it's worth, the way I determined that the router was not likely to be the problem was to connect it to a EVDO-capable cell phone via USB cable. I tethered the router to a Motorola 755 and it worked perfectly.

Also, I found out that the correct username for Verizon broadband is "nnnnnnnnnn@vzw3g.com" where nn... is the ten digit phone number assigned to the modem. The password is vzw.

Hats off to the the local Verizon folks. They didn't entirely understand the problem at first, but they were determined to find a solution, and they did.
Airlink tech support was also very helpful, if a bit slow (2 days) to get back to me.