AT&T Wireless WAN Cannot Connect After International Travel - ThinkPad
Symptom
Users cannot connect to the AT&T Wireless WAN network or partner carriers using a Sierra Wireless WAN adapter for an extended period of time after a user has traveled internationally. These delays range from 30 minutes to multiple days.
Affected configurations
Thinkpads Systems with AT&T or partner carrier Wireless WAN network card may be affected by this symptom.
Solution
A new firmware is being developed to address this issue. Until it is available, please use the below procedure.
Power ON your system.
Press Fn+F5 after you have logged on to the desktop.
Click "Power ON" as show in the screen shot above to turn ON the WWAN Radio.
Launch AC by left clicking the AC icon in system tray and then selecting "Launch ThinkVantage Access Connections".
Under Locations, Please select your WWAN profile (The name of the profile may be different on your system). Do not click Connect yet. When you launch Access Connections for the 1st time you will notice that the Signal Strength is 0% and Service Type is None.
Leave Access Connections idle (Do not press Connect) until you see some value for Signal strength and Service Type.
Note: In the Screen shot below the signal strength is 5% (You need at least 15% signal strength to connect reliably).