Using a Dell Wireless 5620 EV-DO-HSPA in Thailand

The Dell Wireless 5620 Multi-Mode Gobi Mobile Broadband Mini-Card is a great way to add mobile broadband (HSDPA, EVDO, EDGE, 3G) to your Dell Latitude E series laptop without having to use an external modem or Internet tethering.

The modem is generally shipped with an AT&T configuration profile so I’ve drafted up some instructions on how to make the card work with other providers, specifically those in Thailand.

First of all, install the Dell Mobile Broadband Utility (DMBU) also known as: R275082.exe from http://support.dell.com. This is the “Dell Mobile Broadband Utility” also referred to as the Novatel Wireless HSUPA manager.

Once you have installed the Dell Mobile Broadband Utility (DMBU), reboot your machine then insert your True, AIS or DTAC SIM card into the rear of your laptop. On the Dell Latitude E6400 and E6410 the SIM card slot is located underneith the battery. Reboot your machine again.

Open the DMBU and select the wireless icon in the top left corner. Select “Settings” then “Network Selection” then select:

Provider: Generic
Technology: UMTS
Region: EU
Version: 0A090012

Then click “Load”.

This will install the correct UMTS modiles to the EV-DO-HSPA modem to support local, Thailand telecom services. Note that this profile is official for use in the European Union but has been tested and confirmed to work with True and AIS in Thailand. Once the profile has been located, reboot your machine.

After rebooting, re-open the Dell Mobile Broadband Utility. You should see your local phone service provider showing in the interface (e.g. “TRUE” – READY). Before connecting we need to setup the Access Point Name and configuration profile for your phone service.

Open the DMBU, select the wireless icon in the top left, select Settings then Profile Manager. Depending on your mobile data services provider, you may need to Google for their APN information, I have outlined True and AIS below:

* True:

APN: internet
Username: true
Password: true

* AIS:

APN: internet (or none)
Username: ais (or none)
Password: ais (or none)

Note: Some AIS SIM’s are pre-provisoned and do not require an APN configuration for data services.

*DTAC:

APN: www.dtac.co.th
Username: (none)
Password: (none)

Once you have setup the APN, save it and set it as your default. Lastly, select the wireless icon and run “Self Diagnostics” to confirm your HSDPA  card, SIM card and APN configuration is correct. You may now connect and use your data service.