Setup

Is the W25 easy to setup?
Yes its as simple as putting a sim card in the unit, connectingthe antenna and power supply. For setting up internet you will also need to enter the APN provided by your service provider.

What type of sim card does the W25 use?
A standard mobile/cell phone sim card. Can be either a 2G or 3G sim

Cellular Network

Can I connect an external antenna?
Yes the W25 has an external antenna port (SMA Female)

Can I use my existing marine antenna?
If you have an existing GSM or CDMA antenna on your boat it can be used with the W25. You cannot use existing antennas used for radio communications or television equipment

What range can I expect to get with the W25?
30-140km or 15-80 miles from a cell tower. Range is dependant on the network, power of the cell tower and technology used
(Alan Spicer's Note: AT&T Engineer says that 21 miles is the limit of cellular via GSM and related UMTS Technologies. Outside of that distance it's not likely to work at all.)

What frequencies does the W25 support?
GSM - 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
UMTS/3G  - 850/1900/2100 MHz

Will the W25 work in other countries?
Yes the W25 will work in nearly every country around the world

Will the W25 work on the CDMA network? (in the U.S., e.g. Will it work on Verizon or Sprint?)
No the W25 will only work on the GSM/UTMS/3G networks

If a 3G network is not available, will the W25 still operate?
Yes, if a 3G network is not available the W25 will automatically connect to a 2G network

Support

What type of warranty does the W25 come with?
The W25 comes with a 12 month warranty. Extended warranties are also available

Where can I get product support?
Alan Spicer offers telephone and email installation support for 30 days on purchases of the W25 from Alan Spicer Marine Telecom.. Longer terms of Consulting/Support can be obtained with a Consulting and Support Agreement purchase ($500.00 for 1 year.) Please see our contact information. The product has 1 year manufacturers warranty, Alan Spicer can help you obtain warranty support if needed in the U.S if you have purchased from ASMT.

Technical

How does the W25 differ from a normal mobile/cell phone?
The W25 is more like a base station mobile/cell phone providing superior voice quality and reliable signal strength. You can also connect landline devices such as a phone handset, fax machine and multiple computers

What are the power requirements of the W25?
The W25 can be powered by the supplied mains power adapter or from an alternative power source. Power input is 10-28V DC. If used on mains AC power on a yacht ASMT recommends battery backup and surge protection be used. APC and other UPS - Uninterruptable Power Supply - are a GOOD IDEA.

Where can I find out further technical information?
Contact Alan Spicer Marine Telecom if you need additional technical information.

Phone System

Can I connect the W25 to a phone system or PBX?
Yes, you can connect the W25 to a spare analog trunk port on a PBX.

Does the W25 provide line reversal?
Yes, the W25 has line reversal to help ensure the line is cleared once a party hangs up the call

Voice

Is the voice quality better than a cellular/mobile phone?
Yes the W25 uses advanced speech codecs for superior voicequality. As you use a standard landline handset to make calls the call quality is virtually landline quality

Does the W25 produce a dial tone like a landline phone?
Yes, just like a landline phone when you pick up the handset a dial tone is heard

How are the telephone calls and internet charged?
As all communications is through a sim card, voice calls and internet use are charged at normal mobile/cell phone rates.

What service provider do I connect through?
Any GSM/UMTS/3G service provider

Can I use a landline cordless phone with the W25?
Yes, you can use a cordless or DECT style landline handset with the W25.

Can I talk on the phone and surf the internet at the same time?
This is dependant on the cellular/mobile network provider. As a general rule 3G networks allow simultaneous voice and internet, 2G networks will usually put the internet on hold when a call is received.
(More info from Alan Spicer:

"The W25 supports simultaneous voice and data communication"
 
http://www.ericsson.com/solutions/operators/news/2007/q4/20071009_w25.shtml
 
Can I talk on the phone and surf the internet at the same time?
This is dependant on the cellular/mobile network provider. As a general rule 3G networks allow simultaneous voice and internet, 2G networks will usually put the internet on hold when a call is received.

* I could probably come up with a more technical answer to that question than that, but I'd have to go try and track it down. I don't think I've tried to do this yet on any of them that I've installed. Or any that I have had for test. The next time I have a chance I'll try this. probably tommorow. If I test it - it will on AT&T in the U.S.
 
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=GSM%2BSimultaneous%2BVoice%2Band%2BData
 
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/technology/gsm-gprs.jsp supported by AT&T Wireless Network.)


Do I need to use a cellular/mobile phone with the W25?
No, the sim card is inserted into the W25 unit and therefore a mobile/cell phone is not needed.

Fax

(ASMT Note: To our knowledge at this time noone in the U.S. is supporting Fax T.38 for the
Ericsson W25 or any similar gear. We have been working with AT&T to try and get them to add
the capability on their network.)

What type of fax machine should I use?
You can connect a standard fax machine to the W25.

How does the Ericsson W25 send faxes?
Faxes are sent over the mobile/cellular network using a fax over IP service (T.38 protocol). Either your service provider must have a T.38 fax service available or you can use a VOIP provider that supports T.38

Internet

How do I configure the W25 for internet?
The W25 has an inbuilt web interface for configuring the internet settings that will be provided by your service provider. If you need help with U.S. Carrier settings please contact Alan Spicer.

How do I connect my computer to the W25?
Connecting a computer is via a network cable or wirelessly using a WiFi connection.

How many computers can I connect to the W25?
You can connect four computers using network cables or up to 256 computers using WiFi. If you need to make a network on a yacht for crew, guests, and owners; or other large network site on mobile or land - please call Alan Spicer to arrange advanced support.

What internet speeds can I expect?
Internet download speeds are dependant on the network, signal strength and data connection type.

Data Connection Types:
2G - GPRS - up to 86kbps
2G - EDGE - up to 237kbps
3G - 3G Data - up to 384kbps
3G - HSDPA - up to 7.2mbps

What is the signal range of the WiFi?
You can expect a WiFi range of up to 50m in ideal environments. The WiFi signal strength can be adjusted to suit.

Can I secure the WiFi connection?
Yes, the W25 supports WEP, WPA/WPA2 encryption protocols.

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Alan Spicer Marine Telecom (communications (at) marinetelecom.net)
http://www.marinetelecom.net