T60 and Sprint

jmayes · EVDO Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Why is it that the EVDO built into the IBM T60 only works with Verizon? Chipset & Card type are both supported by Sprint (from what I have read), but there is no mension of Sprint being able to be set up on a T60. Is there some kind of lock on the card, or the software, or Sprint just won't do it?

I ask because I have a T60 and belive Sprint is the better service and would like to give it a try if at all possable.

Thankx for any help someone can provide,
Jmayes Confused

Michael · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

Sprint will not activate 'foreign esns' and neither will Verizon. What you are asking is possible, BUT it will never happen. Each carrier pays big bucks to get embedded EVDO in laptops. They also do not want the competition to activate these, so I don't think you will ever see this happen.

Although, if possible it would be very smart for Sprint (and Verizon) to be able to activate foreign ESNs. It would give consumers a choice.
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jmayes · EVDO Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Thankx for the quick reply Michael,

I can't yet confirm any 'locks' but if sprint/verizon are locking out blocks of esn's that will effectively kill any cross activaction. However Sprint has certified the same card (MC5720)
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Dec_20/ai_n15954246

And Sierra has several more cards for GSM/HSDPA/etc in the exact same footprint and antanna connections so swaping cards to get your prefered provider will be a piece of cake in the near future.

http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/em_comparison.aspx

More Info;
http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc5720.aspx
http://www.sierrawireless.com/ProductsOrdering/pciexpress_minicard.asp

I give it about 6 months and it will be no-matter whos laptop you have, just get the right card installed, they can play games but if your tech savy you will get what you want in the end.

Anyone that runs accross a sprint mc5720, give me a ring, I have a verizon one to trade you Laughing

Thankx agian,
Jmayes

jmcg · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

I am in the very same boat as you, jmayes: brand new T60 with embedded 5720 card, and no service by Verizon. But Sprint's EVDO service is plenty strong where I am. Have you (or anyone else on this board, for that matter) had any luck getting their factory or aftermarket Sierra 5720 card working on Sprint's service?

Talk about infuriating! I bought this machine specifically for its embedded EVDO card, and at least for now it is absolutely useless! Evil or Very Mad

darrenf · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 4

Add me to the chorus. I would LOVE to find a way to activate Sprint on my WWAN-enabled T60, even if I need to purchase another card or bribe an employee. Wink

-darren

fparisi · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 12

I think that you have to crack (whitelist) the BIOS on your T60 machine to accept the Sprint mini pci cards.

I might do this as well. Try forums.thinkpads.com. Those guys know the deal.

I am user named padhead over there.