Computer
Cowboy

How to add WWAN to the VPC-Z1 Series

When I ordered my VAIO Z1 CTO in June of 2010 I didn't realize that the Verizon WWAN option was in fact a Gobi card which can be used with HSDPA networks worldwide. I thought that since it was advertised as Verizon that it was some CDMA card. I opted not get it since it was a $150 upgrade and I had no plans to use Verizon ever. I found out a few months later that the Verizon/Gobi option can be easily unlocked to use any provider with Sony's One Click Internet program. Since I made this discovery I have been quite annoyed that I didn't know about this before ordering my Z. I have also learned about what parts are required to add this functionality. I have begun the process of adding OEM WWAN to my Z and I figured I'd write an article describing the sourcing and installation of these parts.

First things first there are a total of five parts needed to do the job. I have listed the parts in the right column with the original Sony part numbers and links for the best/cheapest places to buy the parts online. I found a particularly good deal on the Gobi card at Amazon. It is not a Sony Gobi but that doesn't really matter.

At the moment I am still waiting for Spare Parts Warehouse to ship me the rest of the Sony OEM parts. Apparently when an order is placed with Spare Parts Warehouse they order the parts from Sony and then ship them. Last time I checked they had not received the parts from Sony and they were unable to give me any estimate of when they would receive them.

Until I get the rest of the parts this project is on hold. It's not that big of a deal because I recently found a very good deal on an Option Ultra Express 3G card. It is not as good as a built in solution but it works quite well. The reception is good and I like it a lot better than using some USB dongle.

5/14/11 UPDATE: I called Spare Parts Warehouse today and they said they should get the parts from Sony on 5/18, then the will ship them to me the next day. I should have them as early as 5/23

5/24/11 UPDATE: I called Spare Parts Warehouse again today and asked about my order the woman was very nice and told me that she would investigate and email me back. A half hour later I received this message.

Hello Jeff, I just spoke with Sony. Both parts you ordered have no ETA. I asked if this was an issue because the parts were coming from Japan and was told yes. Please let us know if the wait becomes too long and we can cancel this order from you if it has not shipped. You may try to find this part from someone who actually has the part on hand, like Ebay. Anyone ordering directly from Sony, which is what we are doing, will have the same problem we are having. I am very sorry for this inconvenience and delay.

I have since found and ordered the Daughter Board on eBay... but I still don't have a source for the FFC cable. I am hoping to measure the ZIF connector on the board and find an FFC on DigiKey that will work.

UPDATE: I found a part on DigiKey that works! This FFC cable it is a little long, but it works.