Latitude 5480 adding / installing WWAN

Question

When asked to provide a 'good' laptop for my contractor friend, I found a 'very lightly used' Latitude 5480 i5-7200U with 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 500GB SATA disk running Win10 20H2 for a very reasonable cost, and he approved this laptop.  During re-imaging of the existing Win10 install to the new 500GB SSD, I noticed that what appeared to be an implementation for a WWAN module and cellular sim card, seemingly 'fully implemented' and apparently 'ready to rock', so we're considering installing the WWAN module since he seldom has adequate Internet access on most construction sites (although there is usually excellent 4G LTE cellular service throughout downtown Denver, absolutely) and Internet access now seems almost a requirement.  So I am here looking for input on what is required to accomplish this 'in the field', so to speak, since I'm fairly certain this unit was not delivered nor possibly even originally produced and assembled by Dell with everything required for this (although it appears that everything is right there inside the laptop, including the WWAN module securing bracket - maybe once-upon-a-time it WAS...?).  My thought is that finding the WWAN module is (of course) mandated, and subsequently I found  a 'compatible' 4G LTE module on Amazon that lists this laptop among the compatible systems, so it is on its way. Secondarily, would be the requisite cellular service sim card, which is pretty simple to obtain also.  But I won't presume this is going to be a 'slam dunk' to accomplish, and here I am looking to get input on what else, if anything, is required (additional software? accommodating firmware?)  So... Your input is solicited on this attempt to 'retrofit' this with WWAN capabilities (or maybe simply re-establishing what WAS once there ...).

billezinn · Accepted Answer

Just wanted to update the progress of my efforts....but since I did not actually get the laptop prior to tonight so that I could take a pic of the interior, my last post is 'moot'. But this was only AFTER he had taken it to the Verizon 'store' to activate the cell SIM (which was absolutely a major "hair puller" 'cuz we simply could not activate the cellular SIM without going to a 'Verizon store', it would appear.. and which is pretty danged bizarro, IMHO...)

But once we found and installed the proper communications driver for the WWAN module (another download from Dell support), currently it would appear that we are getting 50-200 MBs (depending on physical location) over the Verizon cellular system.
So, my concept is that when he has this in downtown Denver (where there is a proliferation of 5G now), my concept is that he'll quite probably get something like 200MB/sec Internet access speeds. Or so I hope.

SUCCESS... !!

nyc10036 · Answer

As I recall a WWAN card also requires the antenna. You would see an unconnected cable similar to those for the wifi card. My gut feeling is that this is a dead end.

billezinn · Answer

Oops... my bad..I shoulda said that as well. Under examination there is at least one antenna connector seemingly 'routed' to the laptop screen area (..?) somewhat similar to the wifi/bluetooth antenna connectors in the screen/lid.  I also see that the WWAN module picture shows two 'possible' connectors (main and auxiliary) but since I do not have the laptop right now so I can verify this, I cannot say with any accuracy if there is more than one antenna wire/cable in the small plastic 'sleeve' I found inside the laptop beneath the bottom case cover.  When Rick brings it over tonight, I'll verify and post an image of this location as well as the cable ...

Latitude

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