T-Mobile connection settings Sony-Ericsson GC83 aircard

**dick8139** · 11-05-2010, 08:30 AM

I have a laptop running Windows XP and a Sony Ericsson PCMCIA GC83 air card. The aircard is tri band with 850, 1800 and 1900 MHz. The aircard is unlocked and I have installed the Sony Ericsson Wireless Manager software.

I have called T-Mobile to try to set this up for Internet access three times. Three different "technical specialists" have told me I need T-Zones ($10), an unlimited data plan ($30) and a separate stand alone Internet account with it's own separate number ($40). Since I have used this exact same hardware with the $30 a couple of years ago, I think it should work. The last "technical representative" told me the network has changed and this card won't work at all. I think I'm getting fed some BS. Can anyone tell me a) Will it work?, b) If so, what data plan do I need and c) What setup information do I need to input for the new connection.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

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**sendpaulmailat** · 11-05-2010, 10:08 AM

I'm trying to find the data settings myself, but you might also want to check out the prepaid data-only offerings. If your data needs aren't too substantial, the new prepaid plans aren't a bad deal.

**adriaticnyc** · 12-02-2010, 02:44 PM

Hello there!

I had four days of frustration around a similar issue.

You need either Total Internet (I got the Grandfathered feature back, luckily, after a business sales rep intervened with TMobile's "Loyalty" area - we spend over $300 per month on business voice/data/Blackberry for 5 lines!) or WebConnect.

Tmobile has begun to manage its data broadband as AT&T does: separate voice and data lines. Back in November 2004, TMobile would provision BOTH features on one SIM card but they stopped this year.

You have an older EDGE device with the GC83. They sell on EBay for $10-$15.....you might want to consider a 3G handset and add "tether feature" for $14.99 per month onto your account. "Tether" feature is a new feature and I have it on my BlackBerry phone line for modem 3G capability.

Good luck!

**E_tron** · 12-04-2010, 06:59 PM

A modern data plan that would work with your GC83 is "WebConnect No Overages" for 39.99/month. Order just a sim chip and configure the sony software with a new "packet switched" connection. In the APN field put epc.tmobile.com and leave the username and password blank. That should get you up and running.

However, I'd suggest getting a modern data modem like the new WebConnect Rocket stick. It supports the new 3G network where available, the GC83 is stuck on EDGE and GPRS only.

**adriaticnyc** · 12-05-2010, 04:43 PM

TMobile has stopped marketing Total Internet - it's grandfathered on one of my voice plans. It was cost effective as an add on feature for voice lines at $19.99 per month unlimited connect time (well.....5GB cap per month with degradated service if the user went beyond 5GB in a billing period).

I have a business account with 5 lines and we made investment over $450 in the last three years of purchasing unlocked Novatel Merlin XU870 3G HSPDA/UMTS (worked with AT&T plan we had but ditched 'cause we had TMobile TI), Sierra Wireless AC881 3G and Sierra Wireless AC860 and AC875. AC860 was dual voice and data broadband capable and TMobile sold the device "locked" circa 2005-2006.

the $19.99 no longer supports a 3G network session in the NYC area. Got EDGE in late August 2010 in the Atlanta metro area. But no 3G!

Because we work at outside field client sites, it is essential that I have external "dedicated" internet access. So on Friday, I went into a corporate retail store and changed our 5th line from TMobile at Home (we hardly used TMobile at Home VoIP) requesting a reprovision to WebConnect 4G. We paid $49 plus tax plus $18 activation for the "change" for this line.

Again, I am saddened that TMobile USA won't allow its former "legacy" Total Internet plan to provide 3G coverage with its newer devices (Webconnect Rocket Version 1, USB Stick Sierra AC860) over generating an extra $20.00 per month in service cost passed onto either a business or a consumer customer.

The HP NC6400 notebook comes with a Core 2 Duo processor series and many of its system boards allow for mini PCI 3G Sierra, Option and Sony Ericsson devices to support GPRS and EVDO. For the GPRS, it's 3G AT&T in the US because of the hardware supporting only the AT&T band (now). None of these devices supports AWS 1700/2100, apparently. I would have liked to use a Sierra MC8781 with my TMobile broadband service and have flexibility with devices.

Just my 2 cents here......am planning to write a more formal letter to somebody in senior management at TMobile Loyalty and Business Customer care. We have been with TMobile going into a 7th year. We like TMobile - generally speaking, TMobile's phone support listens with a technical ear.

**dick8139** · 01-05-2011, 06:20 PM

OK. I bit the bullet (sort of) and bought a 3G stick from Tiger Direct. It's an AT&T branded unlocked GlobeTrotter Icon322. The AT&T connection manager software was preloaded and, when I plugged in the stick the software loaded automatically. I bought the T-Mobile unlimited plan and, with a little help from the wizard in the store, set it up using the AT&T software and connected successfully. The only problem is that it's pathetically slow...about 150 to 200 kbps. Using the same computer on my home DSL wireless network I get about 2.5 mbps. I downloaded the T-mobile webconnect manager from their web site and I assume it needs to be configured because it doesn't connect. Here are the questions.

First, there is also a firmware download available. Does the firmware on the stick have to match the computer software? I don't want to screw around and mess up what I have.

Does the computer software have to be configured? If so, can anyone tell me what has to be done.

Thanks for all the previous advise.

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**dcbw** · 01-05-2011, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by dick8139

OK. I bit the bullet (sort of) and bought a 3G stick from Tiger Direct. It's an AT&T branded unlocked GlobeTrotter Icon322. The AT&T connection manager software was preloaded and, when I plugged in the stick the software loaded automatically. I bought the T-Mobile unlimited plan and, with a little help from the wizard in the store, set it up using the AT&T software and connected successfully. The only problem is that it's pathetically slow...about 150 to 200 kbps. Using the same computer on my home DSL wireless network I get about 2.5 mbps. I downloaded the T-mobile webconnect manager from their web site and I assume it needs to be configured because it doesn't connect. Here are the questions.

First, there is also a firmware download available. Does the firmware on the stick have to match the computer software? I don't want to screw around and mess up what I have.

Does the computer software have to be configured? If so, can anyone tell me what has to be done.

Thanks for all the previous advise.

****

It's painfully slow because that data stick (Option GIO322) doesn't support T-Mobile 3G frequencies. T-Mobile's 3G uses 1700MHz (AWS) frequencies, while AT&T's 3G uses 850MHz in most places and 1900MHz in others. The GIO322 only supports AT&T 3G frequencies. It's a great device (Option makes very good hardware and their firmware is top-notch) but you'll never be able to use it on T-Mobile's 3G network.

You need to get a data stick that supports T-Mobile 3G specifically. Those data sticks include the T-Mobile Rocket, the T-Mobile Rocket 2, the Option iCON 452, and the T-Mobile webConnect™ USB Laptop Stick.