Verizon VZ Access Manager
If you are a Verizon Wireless Cellular Data customer, you most likely use the Verizon VZ Manager program to manage your connection to the Internet. VZ Manager is available for both the Mac and PC Operating Systems. You need to run the correct version of VZ Manager based on the specific Verizon Wireless Cellular Data Device you are using. In some cases, newer versions of the Verizon VZ Manager Software that support 4G devices may not support older Verizon 3G Cellular Data Devices.
To find the correct version and download the VZ Manager Software for your specific Verizon Cellular Data device, visit:
http://www.vzam.net/download/supported.aspx
Once you load the VZ Manager Software on either a Mac or PC and connect your Verizon Cellular Data Device, the first thing you need to do is to activate the device. This is accomplished from the OPTIONS menu by clicking on “Activation.”
If everything works properly, the VZ Manager Software will make an initial connection to the Verizon Wireless Cellular Data Network and link your new device to your account enabling you to connect to the Internet. During the initial connection, you may be prompted to allow the VZ Manager Software to either update itself or download Firmware updates to your device.
You may be prompted to reconnect multiple times during this update process. The last update is usually a roaming list that includes specialized network information to allow you to connect to both the Verizon Cellular Network and other Cellular Carries where Verizon has Cellular Data Network Sharing agreements.
There is a special caveat for Mac users: The Mac version of the Verizon VZ Manager Software is unable to update the Firmware of the Cellular Data Cards. This must be done using the Microsoft Windows version of the Verizon VZ Manager Software. (Firmware is a specialized kind of software that manages the autonomic functions of the device. The best analogy is that you do not have to think for your heart to beat, your lungs to breath, or your eyes to see. Your body just takes care of these things.)
There are few options to accomplish this task. If you are fortunate enough to have a Windows notebook that is also compatible with your Verizon Cellular Data card, just follow the instructions above to install the updates and prepare your card for Mac use.
If you are running a Microsoft Windows Virtual Machine in either VMWare Fusion or Parallels for Mac, you can assign your device to the Windows Virtual Machine; Download the Microsoft Windows version of the Verizon VZ Manager Software for your particular Cellular Device, perform the activation again, and apply the updates. Upon completion, you simply disconnect from your Windows Virtual Machine and re-launch your Mac version of the Verizon VZ Manager Software. At least once every three months, and preferably monthly, you should repeat this process so that your Verizon Cellular Device is always up-to-date.
NOTE: If the previous paragraph made no sense to you then you are not running a Microsoft Virtual Machine, so move on to the next option.
If you do not have a Windows Virtual Machine on your Mac, and you do not own a Windows Notebook that is compatible with your specific Verizon Cellular Data Card, then find a friend who does. Hopefully, they will let you download and install the Verizon VZ Manager Software for Windows and update your Verizon Cellular Data Card. Not to worry, activation and updating of your Verizon Cellular Data Card is Air Time Free and does not dip in to your Data Plan.
For AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile customers, the procedure is pretty much the same. One company, Smith Micro, pretty much writes the software and rebrands it for each Cellular Data Carrier. And, only a few companies, such as Novatel, Pantech, LG, and Kyocera manufacture the majority of PCMCIA, Express, and USB Stick Cellular Data Devices.