Differences Between Mobile Data Cards (Gobi Cards)

So, you are shopping for a rugged laptop or tablet, and you see an option to upgrade its hardware with a mobile data card. You see options like EM7355 or EM7511, but the names alone don’t mean anything to you, nor do you really know what a mobile data card does. Luckily, Bob Johnson’s Computer Stuff, Inc. is here to help. In this article, we’ll describe the differences between each of the mobile data cards we offer and how mobile data can be helpful to you.

For starters, a mobile data card, commonly referred to as a Gobi card, is a module that can be installed in most rugged computers allowing the user to access the internet away from their home or work wireless router. This module, paired with an activated SIM card for a data plan with your cellular carrier, gives the user the ability to hit the road and still stay connected. Without the need to stay within range of your wireless router gives you the freedom to use the internet as you please. Purchasing this option will add one of the select mobile data cards into the internals of your rugged laptop or tablet, so all you are required to do is insert an active SIM card into the SIM card slot of your machine. Once that’s done, you should be able to connect to the internet wherever there is a cellular signal.

Currently there are three options for mobile data cards available: EM7355, EM7455, and EM7511. Now, with all these choices in mobile data cards, what’s the difference?

Mobile Data Card Breakdown

Sierra Wireless EM7355

The MC7355 / EM7355 is the most affordable of the three Sierra Wireless cards. The MC7355 version of the card has a mini PCI Express connector, while the EM7355 version of the card has an M.2 style connector. They are both 4G cards that support GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, HSPDA and HSPA+ technologies. The cards have a maximum upload speed of 50Mbps and a maximum download speed of 100 Mbps. It also still has support for 2G GSM bands as well as 3G WCDMA support. You can interface with it through ADC, GPIO, SDIO, SIM, SPI, UART, and USB. Carriers supported by this card include AT&T, Bell, Rogers, Sprint, T-Mobile (USA), and Verizon Wireless. The operating temperature for the card is -25C to 60C. It’s also worth noting that the card may also be used as a GPS.

Sierra Wireless EM7455

Next is the MC7455 / EM7455l, which, similarly, has the MC7455 version with a mini PCI Express connector and the EM7455 with an M.2 connector. This 4G card also supports GSM, GPRS, UMTS, EDGE, HSDPA, HSPA+, LTE, and DC-HSPA technologies. Like the EM7355 card, the maximum upload speed is 50Mbps, and the maximum download speed is 100Mbps. It, too, supports 2G GSM and 3G WCDMA bands. Interfacing with the mobile data card can be done through ADC, I2C, SIM, SPI, UART, and USB. AT&T, Rogers, Sprint, Telus, Verizon Wireless, and Vodafone are all compatible carriers with the EM7455 card. This card can also be used with AT&T First Net. The operating temperature of the card ranges from -40C to 85C. The mobile data card may also be used as a GPS.

Sierra Wireless EM7511

Finally, there is the EM7511, which appears to only come in the M.2 style connector. The technologies supported by this card include UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA+, and LTE. The mobile data card is much faster than the other two cards, with a maximum upload speed of 150Mbps and a maximum download speed of 500Mbps. Unlike the other two cards, there is no 2G GSM support, but 3G WCDMA is still supported. In order to interface with the EM7511, ADC, I2C, SDIO, SIM, SPI, UART, and USB can all be used. Carriers supported by this card include AT&T, Rogers, Sprint, SouthernLINC, T-Mobile, Telus, US Cellular, and Verizon. Just like the EM7455, this card is also First Net Ready. The temperature in which this card operates ranges from -30C to 70C. Again, this card can also be used as a GPS.

Picking The Right Mobile Data Card

Now that you know a little bit more about each of the Gobi cards we offer, you can make a more educated choice regarding which mobile data card would be best suited for you! Whether you are police, EMS, or your job takes you constantly on the move, you can stay connected in most situations. If you don’t have a mobile data card currently installed in your computer or are looking to purchase a computer with a mobile data card, contact us via phone or e-mail, and we’ll help equip you with a card suited for your needs.