Gone are the days when you had to base your hotel selection on whether they offered Wi-Fi or wired high-speed internet connection. WWAN is here to stay.
We live in an increasingly wireless world in all imaginable aspects. And you can afford to be disconnected for long. Smartphones and tablets can only take you so far. When there is a need for serious computing, WWAN comes to the rescue.
WWAN allows you to combine the benefits of a high-speed cellular network with the computing power of a laptop. This way, you get the best of both worlds. But, most importantly, you are not left searching for Wi-Fi hotspots everywhere you go.
Some laptops come with WWAN cards, but not all. Fortunately, you now have the option to use a WWAN card via the USB port, using an adapter. For this, you will require a WWAN card, a USB adapter, and a SIM card with a suitable data plan.
To know more about WWAN, what it is, how it works, and more, you must read our article “What is a WWAN Card and Why Do You Need It.”
In this article, we bring you the best WWAN cards available in the market. We will also guide you in the decision-making process with our buying guide. Finally, we address some frequently asked questions about WWAN technology and WWAN cards.
Table of Contents
Comparison of the Best WWAN Cards
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sierra Wireless EM7355 WWAN Module Card | Interface: M.2 Network: 4G LTE-A: B1-B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B20, B25, B26, B29, B30, B41 Region: Americas, EMEA (AT&T, Bell, Rogers, SouthernLINC, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus, US Cellular, Verizon, Vodafone) Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon |
 | Bewinner EM7345 Module Card | Interface: M.2 Network: 4G LTE-A/HSPA+ Region: America, EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon |
| Huasijie EM7355 WWAN Module NGFF | Interface: M.2 Network: 4G LTE-A/HSPA+ GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA: 2100/1900/800/850/1700 MHz LTE: 2100/1900/700(B17)/850/700(B13) MHz LxEVDO: 800/1900 MHz LxRTT: 800/1900 MHz Region: America (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint), EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon | |
 | Demeras WWAN Module | Interface: M.2 Network: WCDMA: Band 1, 2, 5, 8 or Band 1, 8 or Band 2, 5 GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900MHz or 900/1800 MHz or 850/1900MHz Region: N.A. Fallback: N.A. | Check on Amazon |
 | Hilitand Module Card, EM7345 | Interface: M.2 Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA: 2100/1900//800//850//MHz LTE (B17)/850/700 (B13): 2100/1900/700 MHz EV-DO Rev A RTT: 800//MHz CDMA: 800//MHz Region: America (Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T), EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon |
 | SenFend EM7355 | Interface: M.2 Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA: 2100/1900//800//850//MHz LTE (B17)/850/700 (B13): 2100/1900/700 MHz EV-DO Rev A RTT: 800//MHz CDMA: 800//MHz Region: America (Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T), EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon |
 | Yosoo EM8805 | Interface: M.2 Network: DC-HSPA+, HSPA+, HSDPA, HSUPA, WCDMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and GNSS operation. HSPA/WCDMA with quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM/GNSS with quad-band. Region: America EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon |
 | PUSOKEI EM7345 WWAN Card | Interface: M.2 Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA: 2100/1900//800//850//MHz LTE (B17)/850/700 (B13): 2100/1900/700 MHz EV-DO Rev A RTT: 800//MHz CDMA: 800//MHz Region: America (Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T), EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand Fallback: 3G | Check on Amazon |
Best WWAN Cards – Our Pick
1. Sierra Wireless EM7355 WWAN Module Card
The WWAN card from Sierra Wireless offers you all the essential cellular wireless technologies. It gives you the benefits of high-speed data exchange across quad-band frequencies.
Thus, you get a WWAN card that will work in every corner of the world. So, you can freely travel with your laptop. All you have to do is make sure you have the right data plan with your preferred mobile network.
The card uses the M.2 slot, which is specially designed to deliver high data transfer rates. Further, it uses a 4G network that assures you get up to 100 Mbits/s. Consequently, you can stream videos or conduct business over video calls while you are on the move.
Key Features
- M.2 socket
- 4G LTE and Quad-Band
- Supports all essential communication protocols
- 4G LTE gives you high-speed data transfers over a cellular network
- Supports all major operating system
- M.2 socket ensures the high-speed network translates into high-speed data access
- Thanks to the quad-band support, you can travel with it anywhere in the world.
- Only a 30-day warranty is less in case the of a hardware failure
- It needs a USB adapter to connect to a USB SIM Adapter
2. Bewinner EM7345 Module Card
This WWAN card from Bewinner offers you the complete spectrum of WWAN features. It supports HSPA+. HSPA or High-Speed Packet Access is a combination of uplink and downlink packet access.
In other words, it’s a communication protocol that allows data transfers using 3G and WCDMA technologies. This, however, does not mean that you get a redundant 3G network.
In fact, the Bewinner card offers an uplink speed of 5.7Mbps and a downlink speed of 42Mbps. This means you get to stream videos and conduct meetings without having to worry about buffering or network speeds. Thus, you are only limited by the network coverage of your service provider.
Key Features
- 4G LTE and Quad-Band compatible
- M.2 Socket
- Supports all essential communication protocols
- HSPA+ provides high-speed data transfers over a cellular network
- M.2 support high bit transfer rates at the hardware level
- 24-hours customer support in case you need help
- Quad-band support allows you to travel across the globe without worrying about network compatibility
- 3G Fallback acts as a backup when 4G network is not available
- No warranty to protect you in case of a device failure
- It needs a USB adapter to connect to a USB SIM Adapter
3. Huasijie EM7355 WWAN Module
The Huasijie WWAN module comes with 4G LTE and Quad-band support. This offers significant utility, especially for users who need to travel for work.
Different regions in the world use different frequencies for cellular networks. These frequencies range from 700MHz to 2100MHz. In addition to this, all these regions may not necessarily follow the same communication protocol. Therefore, it becomes vital for you to get one device that supports all these variations.
The Huasijie is another WWAN card that supports all the essential protocols and frequencies. Hence, you can use it in America or elsewhere in the world.
Key Features
- 4G LTE and Quad-Band compatible
- M.2 Socket
- Supports all essential communication protocols
- Support for all communication protocols ensures you can use the device on any mobile network.
- M.2 (NGFF) socket ensure your hardware offers the best possible bit rate to support high-speed internet access
- 4G LTE ensure you get high-speed wireless internet
- Quad-Band support ensure you can travel across the world and not bother about network compatibility
- Support for all major operating systems.
- No warranty to protect you in case of a hardware failure
- No customer support to assist you when you need help
- It needs a USB adapter to connect to a USB SIM Adapter
4. Demeras WWAN Module
Demeras offer this WWAN module that is compatible with most brands away from the Lenovo/Thinkpad range.
This WWAN module ticks all the checkboxes on the essential checklist. You get Quad-band support with 850/900/1800/1900MHz. You also get support for WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA+, and more.
Hence, you are assured of broad compatibility and greater mobility because of it. The device also supports all major Windows and Linux versions. So, you will seamlessly install and use the device.
Naturally, you cannot ignore the need for mobile devices to consume less power. WWAN cards are designed to consume minimal power to ensure you stay connected for longer. Demeras is no exception to this.
Key Features
- 4G LTE and Quad-Band compatibility
- Low power consumption
- Supports Windows and Linux
- M.2 (NGFF) socket ensure your hardware offers the best possible bit rate to support high-speed internet access
- 4G LTE ensure you get high-speed wireless internet
- Suitable for most laptops, including the EliteBook and Zbook Series
- Quad-Band support for global network compatibility
- Support for all major Android, Windows versions, and Linux distributions
- It needs a USB adapter to connect to a USB SIM Adapter
- No warranty to protect you in case of a hardware failure
- No customer support to assist you when you need help
5. Hilitand EM7345 Module Card
The WWAN card from Hilitand offers 4G LTE, Quad-Band, all the essential protocols like WCDMA/EDGE/HSPA+, and more. You also get features like GPS and GLONASS. However, these are not peculiar to the Hilitand WWAN module only.
In fact, there is very little that differentiate WWAN cards from one another. Usually, it is the aftersales support that varies among such devices.
Nonetheless, the Hilitand WWAN card offers you wireless broadband over a cellular network. Thus, you get HSPA+ with its 42Mbps downlink and 5.7Mbps uplink. The card fits onto an M.2 slot, and you will require a USB SIM adapter to connect your SIM to the device.
Finally, thanks to quad-band support, you can travel anywhere in America, EMEA countries, Australia and New Zealand. You can travel freely, thanks to the extensive list of compatibilities.
Key Features
- 4G LTE and Quad-Band compatibility
- M.2 Socket
- Features GPS and GLONASS
- Support for all communication protocols ensures you can use the device on any mobile network.
- M.2 (NGFF) socket ensure your hardware offers the best possible bit rate to support high-speed internet access
- 4G LTE ensure you get high-speed wireless internet
- Quad-Band support ensure you get global network compatibility with support for multiple frequencies
- GPS and GLONASS support add navigation and location functionalities
- No warranty to protect you in case of a hardware failure
- No customer support to assist you when you need help
- It needs a USB adapter to connect to a USB SIM Adapter
6. SenFend EM7355
This WWAN card from SenFend focuses its marketing on the Dell laptops. The list of laptops includes Dell’s Latitude, Precision, and Venue series of laptops.
Of course, this does not mean that you cannot use this card with any other laptop. Use a USB SIM adapter, and you can use this WWAN card with any laptop of your choice.
The WWAN comes with the 4G LTE and all the essential communication protocols. Thus, you get a card that offers you high-speed wireless internet anywhere in the world. All you need to ensure is that you have a SIM card and a data plan that suits your need.
The approved carriers in the US are AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. Therefore, be aware of this when you purchase the WWAN card.
Key Features
- 4G LTE with Quad-Band Compatibility
- Support all communication protocols for data transmission
- Compatible with Dell’s Latitude, Precision, and Venue series of laptops.
- M.2 socket ensure your hardware offers the best possible bit rate to support high-speed internet access
- Support for all communication protocols ensures you can use the device on any mobile network.
- 4G LTE ensure you get high-speed wireless internet
- Quad-Band support ensure you can travel across the world and not bother about network compatibility
- It needs a USB adapter to connect to a USB SIM Adapter
- No warranty to protect you in case of a hardware failure
- No customer support to assist you when you need help
7. Yosoo EM8805
The Yosoo WWAN card uses a fallback on the 3G network in the absence of a reliable 4G LTE network. While not unique, it is a great feature to have, especially when you are in a region that does not have a reliable 4G network.
Of course, the Fallback to a 3G network means you do not get the 4G data speeds. But, in case of a crucial requirement, the age-old saying of “something is better than nothing” holds.
The Yosoo EM8805 offers a quad-band along with all the expected communication protocols. This ensures you do not have to worry about network compatibility.
Further, there is support for WCDMA/GPRS/EDGE/GSM and plenty more. Therefore, you are connected to the internet irrespective of the frequent band or protocol being used.
Key Features
- M.2 Socket
- 3G Fallback
- 4G LTE and Quad-band for global network compatibility
- 3G Fallback is the fail-safe in the absence of a 4G network; thus, you stay connected, albeit at a lower data transfer rate
- Quad-band ensure you can use any mobile network in any region of the world
- WCDMA/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA+ ensure your WWAN card offer all the data communication protocols
- The M.2 socket ensures your WWAN card is streamlined for high bit rates at the hardware level
- No Warranty
- No customer supports
- Requires your laptop to have a SIM card slot; otherwise, you must use a USB SIM adapter.
8. PUSOKEI EM7345 WWAN Card
The WWAN card from PUSOKEI gives you the support of 4G LTE with a quad-band.
You also get the necessary feature of multiple communication protocols that take care of high-speed data transfer.
The Pusokei’s WWAN card is designed to consume less power.
It gives you the 3G fallback option, and you can use it anywhere in the world, provided you have an appropriate SIM and Data Plan.
Key Features
- 4G LTE with Quad-band compatibility
- 3G Fallback
- M.2 socket
- 3G Fallback provides a backup when 4G network/speed service is interrupted
- It supports all the data communication protocols, like EDGE/GPRS/HSPA+ and more, to give you universal compatibility.
- Low power consumption means you stay active longer
- Quad-band support allows you to access cellular networks in all regions of the world
- No Warranty
- No customer supports
- Requires your laptop to have a SIM card slot; otherwise, you must use a USB SIM adapter.
Best WWAN Cards – Our Buying Guide
Choosing WWAN cards is not very difficult as there aren’t too many variants to choose from. Nonetheless, here are a few features you must ensure that your WWAN has.
Quad-Band
Different regions in the world use different radio spectrums for cellular communications. Fortunately, the frequencies are limited to four. Thus, Quad-band gives you complete compatibility the world over. What’s more, the spectrum also governs the speed. Hence, look for WWAN cards that offer 4G and Quad-band features.
Communication Protocols
Each network provider has to select a communication protocol. Unfortunately, there is more than one. If you have read through the article, you would have come across terms like WCDMA, EDGE, GPRS, and plenty more. These are contenders when it comes to protocol.
Fortunately, one WWAN can be programmed to use more than one. Hence, look for such WWAN.
All the WWAN Cards in our list offer you the whole gamut of frequencies and protocols. Thus, they are pretty similar to each other.
Best WWAN Cards – Frequently Asked Questions
What is WWAN?
Wireless Wide Area Network is any network like a cellular network that covers a city, a state, or a country. It is called a WWAN if it allows you to access the network using radio frequencies instead of an ethernet connection.
What is WCDMA/GPRS/HSPA+/EDGE?
These communication protocols allow data to be transferred back and forth between the network and your device.
What is Quad-Band?
Quad-Band refers to the frequencies of 850/900/1800/1900MHz. The US mainly uses 850/1900MHz for GSM networks, while most other countries use 900/1800MHz. Thus, the entire world’s cellular communications system is covered between these four frequencies.
