SIM Card with the current Thinkpad Tablet?

**frenzy757** · 09-21-2011, 10:33 PM

Hey guys, So I was reading some reviews of the thinkpad tablet, and read that someone claimed they used the SIM card slot and got data.

Can anyone here with one confirm/deny that you can use a SIM card and what provider to get 3g data? If you could get that, that would be pretty sweet.

Thanks

**shodanjr_gr** · 09-22-2011, 03:42 AM

I read the same thing elsewhere and just tried on y 1838-25U 32Gb but nothing haooened even after a restart. I think its unlikely that the devices ship with a 3G modem, they dont seem to show an IMeI number anywhere in the software or the box .

**S Prime** · 09-22-2011, 06:08 AM

This link should answer your question.

3G on the ThinkPad Tablet

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**frenzy757** · 09-22-2011, 08:37 AM

Those guys modded the tablets to get 3g. I was more wondering what the SIM card for the wifi tablet does? Does it not allow 3g?

**S Prime** · 09-23-2011, 06:21 AM

My understanding is that the SIM card contains your account and provider information and the modem provides connectivity. Therefore, both are required for 3g access. I have not used a device with a removable SIM card, but this is what I have gathered for internet sources. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

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**JamMasterClay** · 09-24-2011, 11:06 AM

I find two things curious...1, it appears that the slot for the sim card has connections there - it's not just a dummy slot as most manufacturers put in as a placeholder. 2, under battery usage cell standby is almost always the second on the list - why would the os report it is using battery if the modem doesnt exist?

Unfortunately i am on verizon so i dont have a sim card to test it with...unless theyre 4g sim cards will work, i could pick up one of thise.

Edit: I forgot to mention, I bought mine from MacConnection... in the shipping email, under item it said " TP TAB 16GB WIFI 3G GOBI-NO PE"

**Ocelaris** · 09-28-2011, 11:10 AM

I popped my AT&T sim card (with data plan) into a Lenovo Thinkpad Tabled at the store, and it didn't do anything... rebooted, nothing... wondering if there was some hack? would love to not be locked into a plan with AT&T or Verizon

**ReuvenNY** · 09-28-2011, 12:13 PM

I believe the current ThinkPad also needs Cellular Modem in addition to the SIM card. Later this year they will be coming out with a model that already has that modem built in.

**frenzy757** · 09-29-2011, 12:08 AM

Ocelaris, you tried it at the store? What store has these I could hold in my hand and play with?

**S Prime** · 09-29-2011, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by ReuvenNY

I believe the current ThinkPad also needs Cellular Modem in addition to the SIM card. Later this year they will be coming out with a model that already has that modem built in.

As I posted earlier, this thread in our forum should explain that a 3G modem is required for your SIM card to work. It also shows a TPT cracked open showing the location of the cellular modem. I think we have all wondered at some point if the device actually has a 3G modem and if it was only system disabled, but right now I am happy with WiFi and will let someone else crack some open and find the out if any models have the modem on board.

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**JamMasterClay** · 09-29-2011, 11:37 AM

Yes, I know that the device needs the modem to work with a sim card, my point was that why would android report that cellular standby is taking 10% of battery use if there is no cellular modem inside? Seeing as there is no way to turn off cellular in the settings, and even putting it in airplane mode doesn't affect the cell standby in battery info my guess is that it's there, but the havent made the connection between the hardware and software...something that may be accomplished with an update.

**setdosa** · 10-05-2011, 09:04 PM

@jammasterclay, i am just as curious ..what is this cell stdby that is using up the battery which in my case is in 40% range

**S Prime** · 10-06-2011, 03:01 AM

The Acer tablet showed cell standby as well until it was corrected with an OTA upgrade and it has been reported in another thread that this will be fixed in the TPT in an upgrade scheduled this month.

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**setdosa** · 10-06-2011, 08:01 AM

Thanks but I wonder if that would mean that they would remove the drivers. Atleast now I know that I can buy the card and install it myself. My model says 1838cto which no one elapsed mentioned on this thread. Does anyone know if it will have the cables too?

**blippblopp** · 10-07-2011, 09:51 AM

I can confirm that a 3G sim card works with data and sms. I took my Danish 3 card from the phone.
/T

**S Prime** · 10-07-2011, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by blippblopp

I can confirm that a 3G sim card works with data and sms. I took my Danish 3 card from the phone.
/T

But aren't you from Europe with a 3G TPT?

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**blippblopp** · 10-07-2011, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by S Prime

But aren't you from Europe with a 3G TPT?

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Yes, is that a problem?

**S Prime** · 10-08-2011, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by blippblopp

Yes, is that a problem?

No problem, I just wanted to establish that it was a 3G TPT. In the US, we only have the WiFi version at this point, but it still has a SIM slot, so there is considerable dabate over the slot's functionality and the ability to install and/or activate a 3G modem.

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