Cobham Explorer 510 - Change APN with Explorer Connect App

This guide explains how to change the Access Point Name (APN) on a Cobham Explorer 510 using the Explorer Connect app. You’ll first confirm the terminal is powered on and properly pointed, then update the APN from a smartphone or tablet.

Before you begin, make sure your BGAN SIM card is active and inserted into the terminal.

Preparing the terminal for setup

BGAN terminals use the Inmarsat satellite network. Inmarsat satellites are geostationary above the equator, meaning they remain fixed in position. Proper antenna pointing is required before accessing device settings.

1. Position the terminal. Take the unit outside and place it so the antenna panel faces toward the equator.

2. Slide and hold the power slide key located under the keypad. The status indicator light will illuminate after a few seconds.

3. Once powered on, the terminal enters pointing mode. Audio-assisted pointing begins automatically. A steady, continuous tone indicates an optimal signal. Single beeps indicate lower signal strength.

4. Press “OK” on the keypad once the strongest possible signal is achieved. Signal strength above 50 dB is typically sufficient for connectivity.

5. Once pointed, you can use a wired connection or a wireless connection if WLAN is enabled to start a call or data session.

Changing the APN using the Explorer Connect app

There are multiple ways to edit APN settings on Explorer terminals. When using a smartphone or tablet, the Explorer Connect app is the simplest option.

The Explorer Connect app is available for iOS and Android devices.

1. Prepare your smart device. Enable Airplane Mode, then turn Wi-Fi on.

2. From your device’s Wi-Fi settings, connect to the wireless network broadcast by the terminal. The default network name is “EXPLORER510.”

3. If prompted, enter the Wi-Fi password. By default, the password is the serial number of the Explorer 510. This can be found on the device label or packaging.

4. Once connected, open the Explorer Connect app. The app will automatically load the main menu when connected to a terminal.

5. Select “Terminal Access” to view connection settings for the BGAN terminal.

6. Select the gear icon next to “Standard Data” to view the default data connection settings.

7. Select “Parameters” to view and edit APN settings.

8. By default, the APN is set to “SIM default,” which uses APNs provided by your service provider. Select the APN dropdown arrow, then choose “User Defined.”

9. Enter the new APN: Enter bgan.inmarsat.com in the “User Defined Name” field. Leave the username and password fields disabled to avoid connection issues.

10. Select “Save” to apply the new APN settings.

Once saved, you can use this APN to establish a data connection.