3G USB Modem M o de l AC 3 2 9 U User Manual February 2014 202-11357-02 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Support Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products. After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit http://support.netgear.com. Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Contents Chapter 1 Getting Started LEDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Insert a SIM or USIM Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Insert a MicroSD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Manage Text Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . View Your Text Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create a Text Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edit a Text Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reply to or Forward a Text Message . .
1. 1 Getting Started The 3G USB modem allows you to connect your computer to the Internet using a high-speed 3G network.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U LEDs Indicator LED Table 1. LED descriptions Indicator LED activity Description LED lights solid blue. The dongle is successfully connected to a USB port. LED blinks red, then green, then blue. The dongle is searching for a network. LED blinks blue. The dongle is connecting to a 3G network. LED lights solid blue. The dongle is connected to a 3G network. LED blinks green. The dongle is connecting to a 2G network. LED lights solid green.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U To insert a SIM or USIM card into the 3G USB modem: 1. Remove the 3G USB modem’s cap and slide the cover off. 2. Insert a SIM or USIM card into the corresponding card slot in the 3G USB modem. 3. Slide the cover back onto the 3G USB modem. Insert a MicroSD Card If you want to save data on your 3G USB modem, you can insert a microSD into the 3G USB modem. The 3G USB modem supports a MicroSD card storage of up to 32 GB. To insert a microSD card into the 3G USB modem: 1.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Set Up the 3G USB Modem Using a Windows Computer To set up the 3G USB modem using a Windows computer, install NETGEAR® AirCard® Mobile Broadband genie® on your computer using the Setup Wizard that is already installed in the 3G USB modem. The 3G USB modem is also compatible with MAC computers. For more information, see Set Up the 3G USB Modem Using a MAC Computer on page 11. To install Mobile Broadband genie on a Windows computer: 1.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The License Agreement screen displays: 3. Select the I accept the terms of the License agreement radio button and click the Next button. The Select Destination Location screen displays: 4. To select a different location, click the Browse button and select a location. 5. Click the Next button.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The Add Shortcut screen displays: 6. Do one of the following: • To create a shortcut desktop icon, select the Create a shortcut desktop icon check box and click the Next button. • If you do not want to create a shortcut desktop icon, clear the Create a shortcut desktop icon check box and click the Next button. The Setup Complete screen displays: 7. Click the Finish button.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Note: If you remove your 3G USB modem, Mobile Broadband genie is not available, and the icon is not displayed. When you insert the 3G USB modem again, the icon returns. To launch Mobile Broadband genie on a Windows computer after installation: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Double-click the Mobile Broadband genie shortcut desktop icon. The home screen displays. 3.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 2. Click the Continue button. The following screen displays: 3. Select Install for all users of this computer and click the Continue button. The following screen displays: 4. Click the Install button.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 5. Enter your user account’s user name in the Name field and user account’s password in the Password field and click the Install Software button. The following screen displays: 6. Click the Continue Installation button. Mobile Broadband genie installs.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 7. Click the Restart button. Your computer restarts and the Mobile Broadband genie is installed. To launch Mobile Broadband genie on a MAC computer after installation: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Double-click the Mobile Broadband genie shortcut desktop icon. If you do not see shortcut desktop icon on your desktop, go to Applications and double-click NETGEAR AirCard Mobile Broadband genie for AC329U.
2. Connecting to the Internet 2 To connect your computer to the Internet, you need to set up your ISP’s APN and network settings.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Set Up Your ISP’s APN Profile Use the Mobile Broadband genie to set up your Internet service provider’s (ISP) APN profile and connect your computer to the Internet. You can let the 3G USB modem automatically determine your ISP’s APN profile or you can set it up manually. You must set the correct access point name (APN) before connecting to the Internet. If you don't know the APN, contact your ISP.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Manually Set Up Your ISP’s APN Profile To manually set up your ISP’s APN profile and connect to the Internet: 1. Insert the USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Connect icon. The following screen displays: 4. Clear the Autoset APN check box and do one of the following: • Select your ISP from the Profile Name drop-down list and click the Connect button. Your computer connects to the Internet.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: b. Click the New button. c. Type your ISP’s name in the Profile Name field. d. Select the Dynamic or Static radio button. e. If you select the Static radio button, compete the APN field. f. Complete the fields in the Authentication section. g. Click the Save button. h. To set this profile as your default profile, click the Set as Default button. i. Click the Internet Connection button. The connect screen displays. j.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 4. Click the Disconnect button. The 3G USB modem disconnects from the ISP and the computer disconnects from the Internet. Connect to a Network You can connect to a 3G or 2G network and register a network operator. Note: By default, the network type is set to 3G preferred. NETGEAR recommends that you do not change the default network type. Connect to a Network Type To connect to a network type: 1.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: Note: If the network type screen is grayed-out, 3G USB modem does not detect a SIM or USIM card or the 3G USB modem is already connected to a network. To change the network settings, you need to disconnect the 3G USB modem from the ISP connection. For more information, see Disconnect from an ISP on page 18. 6. Select a network type from the Network Type drop-down list. 7. Click the Apply button. Your changes are saved.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 6. Select the Auto search and register radio button. 7. Click the Register button. The network is registered. Manually Search for and Register a Network Operator To manually search for a network operator and register it: 1. Insert the USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 6. Select the Manual search and register radio button. 7. Select a network. 8. If you do not see your network, click the Refresh button. 9. Click the Register button. The network is registered.
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3G USB Modem Model AC329U PIN Management A personal identification number (PIN) code protects your SIM or USIM card from unauthorized use. Your SIM or USIM card manufacturer provides a PIN code and PIN unblocking key (PUK). You can require PIN code verification every time Mobile Broadband genie is launched. Enable a PIN Code Verification After the PIN code verification is enabled, you must enter the correct PIN code after you open Mobile Broadband genie to use the network-related functions.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Note: After three unsuccessful attempts at entering the PIN code, the SIM or USIM card is locked and the unblock PIN screen displays. For more information, see Unlock a PIN Code Verification on page 27. Modify a PIN Code Verification To modify a PIN code verification: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Disable a PIN Code Verification To disable a PIN code verification: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select PIN Management > Disable PIN. The following screen displays: 5. Type the PIN code in the Enter PIN field. 6. Click the OK button. The PIN code verification is disabled.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U You can now use the 3G USB modem. Note: If you enter the wrong PIN code three times, the SIM/USIM card is locked and you cannot use it until you enter the PUK code. For information about how to unlock your SIM or USIM card, see Unlock a PIN Code Verification on page 27. Unlock a PIN Code Verification If you enter the wrong PIN codes three times, the SIM/USIM card is locked and you cannot use it until you enter the PUK code. Contact your ISP for the PUK code.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The PIN can be a numeric string of four to eight characters. e. Click the OK button. The PIN code is unlocked. If you enter the wrong PUK code 10 times, the SIM/USIM card is locked permanently and you are no longer able to use the SIM or USIM card. To get a new SIM or USIM card, contact your ISP for assistance.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 5. Complete the fields. If you do not know the code, contact your ISP. 6. Click the OK button. The USSD service code is added. 7. To send a USSD service code, select a USSD service code and click the Send button. Send a USSD Service Code You can send a USSD code to your ISP’s server. To send a USSD service code: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 2. Open Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the USSD icon. The USSD screen displays. 4. Select a USSD. 5. Click the Edit button. 6. Edit the fields as needed. 7. Click the OK button. Your changes are saved Delete a USSD Service Code To delete a USSD service code: 1. Insert the USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the USSD icon. The USSD screen displays. 4. Select a USSD. 5.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 3. Click the Phone Book icon. The phone book screen displays. 4. Click the New icon . The following screen displays: 5. Complete the fields. 6. Click the OK button. The contact is added to your phone book. Edit a Contact to Your Phone Book To edit a contact to your phone book: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Phone Book icon. The phone book screen displays. 4.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Search for a Contact in Your Phone Book To search for a contact in your phone book: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Phone Book icon. The phone book screen displays. 4. Click the Search icon . A search field displays. 5. Type an entry in the search field. The related contacts display. Import a Contact To import a contact from your computer to your phone book: 1.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 5. Right-click the contact list section of the screen. 6. Select Import. The Import screen displays. 7. Select a contact and click the Open button. The contact is imported into your phone book. Export a Contact To export a contact from your phone book to your computer: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Phone Book icon. The phone book screen displays. 4. Select a group.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 5. To export one contact, right-click the contact, and select Export Selected Contacts. The Export screen displays. 6. To export all contacts in a group, right-click a contact, and select Export All Contacts. The Export screen displays. 7. Select a location and click the Save button. The contact is exported. Copy Contacts to a Hard Drive or SIM or USIM Card To copy a contact: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 4. To copy a contact to your local hard drive, right-click a contact in your SIM or USIM group and select Copy Selected to Local. The contact is copied to your local hard drive. 5. To copy a contact to your SIM or USIM card, right-click a contact in a local group and select Copy Selected to SIM/USIM. The contact is copied to your SIM or USIM card. Delete a Contact in Your Phone Book To delete a contact in your phone book: 1.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Create a Group in Your Phone Book To create a group in your phone book: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Phone Book icon. The phone book screen displays. 4. Right-click the Local or SIM/USIM link. 5. Select New Group. An entry for your new group displays. 6. Type a name for your new group. To Rename a Group in Your Phone Book To create a group in your phone book: 1.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U You are prompted to confirm the delete command. 6. Click the OK button. Manage Text Messages The Short Message Service (SMS) screen allows you to manage your text messages. View Your Text Messages To view your text messages: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the SMS icon. The following screen displays: 4. Click a link on the left side of the screen to view your text messages.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 4. Click the New icon . The following screen displays: 5. To enter a phone number, do one of the following: • Enter a phone number in the phone number field.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U • Click the Send to button, select a phone number from the left side of the screen, click , and click the OK button. the arrow button The phone number is added to your text message. You can add up to 100 phone numbers. 6. Type your message. The message can be up to 2048 characters. 7. To save your message, click the Save button. 8. To send your message, click the Send button. 9. To close the screen, click the Close button.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Reply to or Forward a Text Message To reply or forward a text message: 10. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 11. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 12. Click the SMS icon. The SMS screen displays. 13. Select Inbox from the menu on the left. 14. Select a text message. 15. To reply to the message, click the Reply icon 16. To forward the message, click the Forward icon . . 17. Type your text message. 18.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 10. Click the Ok button. The messages are deleted. Manage Text Message Notifications You can enable your 3G USB modem to display a new text message icon on the status bar at the bottom of the screen or set your computer to play a sound when a new text message arrives. Display a Text Message Notification To display a notification when a text message arrives: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Play a Notification Sound for New Text Messages To play a sound when a new text message arrives: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select Text Message from the navigation menu on the left. The following screen displays: 5. Select the Play a sound when a new text message arrives check box. 6.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select Text Message from the navigation menu on the left. The following screen displays: 5. Do one of the following: • To save text messages on your hard drive, select the Save locally radio button. • To save text messages on your SIM or USIM card, click the Save on SIM/USIM card radio button. 6. Click the Save button. Your changed are saved.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 5. Select the Request a delivery report check box. 6. Click the Save button. You will receive delivery reports as text messages after you send a message. Set the Message Center Phone Number The 3G USB modem automatically saves your ISP’s message center’s phone number, but your can change the phone number. To set the message center’s phone number: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The following screen displays: 5. Type your message center’s phone number in the Message Center Number field. 6. Click the Save button. Your changes are saved.
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3G USB Modem Model AC329U View Connection Details You can view the 3G USB modem’s connection details in the Mobile Broadband genie status bar. To view the connection details: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays: Network signal Network Operator Text Message icon type Network connection status You can view the following connection details: • Network signal. Indicates the signal strength of the current network.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Display Settings The Mobile Broadband genie allows you to set the following display settings: • Display Mobile Broadband genie upon startup for your Window’s computer • Minimize Mobile Broadband genie to your Window’s desktop tray Launch Mobile Broadband genie After Startup To launch Mobile Broadband genie after you start up your Windows computer: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Minimize Mobile Broadband genie to the Desktop Tray To minimize the desktop tray icon when you start up Mobile Broadband genie: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select General from the navigation menu on the left. The following screen displays: 5. Select the Minimize to desktop tray on startup check box. 6. Click the Save button.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Change Location for Saved Data You can change the location where your 3G USB modem’s data is stored on your computer. To change the location where data is stored on your computer’s hard drive: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select General from the navigation menu on the left. The following screen displays: 5.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select the Statistics link. The following screen displays: View Diagnostics You can view diagnostic information for the following: • Device • SIM or USIM card • Network status • Network settings View Device Diagnostics To view device diagnostics: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The diagnostics screen displays. 6. Click the Device tab. The device diagnostics display: View SIM or USIM Card Diagnostics To view SIM or USIM card diagnostics: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. 4. The settings screen displays. 5. Select the Diagnostics link. The diagnostics screen displays. 6. Click the SIM/USIM tab.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The SIM or USIM card diagnostics display: View the Network Status To view the network status: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. The settings screen displays. 4. Select Diagnostics from the navigation menu on the left. The diagnostics screen displays. 5. Click the Network Status tab.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The network status displays: View Network Settings To view network settings: 1. Insert the 3G USB modem into the USB port on a computer. 2. Launch Mobile Broadband genie. The home screen displays. 3. Click the Settings icon. 4. The settings screen displays. 5. Select the Diagnostics link. The diagnostics screen displays. 6. Click the Network Status tab.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U The network settings displays: Uninstall Mobile Broadband genie You can uninstall Mobile Broadband genie on a Windows and MAC computers. Uninstall Mobile Broadband genie on a Windows Computers To uninstall Mobile Broadband genie on a Windows computer: Select Start > All programs > NETGEAR AirCard Mobile Broadband genie > NETGEAR AirCard Mobile Broadband genie for AC329U Uninstall.
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3G USB Modem Model AC329U Frequently Asked Questions What should I do if I cannot access the Internet? Try these troubleshooting tips: • Check the network signal strength. • Check whether you have activated the wireless online service. You can ask the local network operator how to activate it. • If the wireless online service is activated, check the network settings. For more information, see Chapter 2, Connecting to the Internet.
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3G USB Modem Model AC329U Platform and Chipset Table 2. Platform and chipset Item Description Baseband chipset Qualcomm 8200A NAND+SDRAM 1 Gb+512 Mb Hardware Specifications Table 3.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Table 3. Hardware specifications Item Description Modulation method HSPA+ 2100/900 MHz: QPSK (uplink), 64 QAM (downlink) GSM/GPRS: GMSK EGPRS: 8 PSK Antenna Built-in monopole antenna Software Specifications Table 4. Software specifications Item Description Data service HSPA 21 Mbps HSPA+ / 5.76 Mbps HSUPA UMTS DL/UL 384 Kbps GPRS DL 85.6 Kbps / UL 42.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Interface Specifications Table 5. Interface specifications Item Description USB USB 2.0 high speed Air connectivity Internal antenna and external antenna connector UMTS Rx diversity antenna Internal antenna, default support 2100 M Antenna Built-in UMTS main antenna Built-in UMTS diversity antenna SIM/USIM card slot Standard SIM card interface, in line with the 3GPP31.101 and 31.102 Power supply +5V power supply through USB interface AT interface Support 3GPP TS27.
3G USB Modem Model AC329U Table 7. Operation environmental requirements (continued) Item Description Humidity Operation humidity: 10%–90% Storage humidity: 5%–93% System requirements Supporting: • Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8 • Linux (Ubantu 9.1 and later) • Mac OS X (10.5,10.6, 10.7) CPU: Pentium 500 MHz or above Memory: 128 MB RAM or more Hard disk: 50 MB free space Standard USB interface Approvals and Certifications Table 8.
