BODYCAM 4: Using Self-Provided 4G Data

The BODYCAM 4 can be purchased with a built-in 4G LTE modem. To provide 4G cellular data to the BC4, customers can choose between the Pro-Vision data plan or using their existing data provider. 

Selecting a Data Provider

Two factors should be considered when selecting a provider: 

  • Coverage area - The customer should consider where the cameras will operate and whether the provider has reliable service within the region. For more information, see 4G Data Coverage
  • Usage - Some providers may have more cost-effective plans depending on the device's intended use: 
    • For regular offload of video files, the user may need a higher data plan.
    • With occasional use of live features, very little data will be consumed, and the user may choose a lower data plan.

Getting SIM cards and Connection Information 

Once a data provider is selected, data lines will be created for each device/BC4. Each line will have an associated SIM number and connect to the provider's Access Point Name (APN). 

The data provider must supply the customer with their APN and a physical SIM card for each service line. The BC4 requires a Nano SIM, so the provider must send a Nano or multi-SIM. A multi-SIM is a precut card that can be used in one of three sizes (Standard, Micro, and Nano).  

The card typically comes in a credit card-sized plastic "holder." Press the smallest portion of the card to snap out the Nano SIM. 

card.jpg  standard.jpg

The provider's plan Access Point Name (APN) is a device's internet access path and must be configured into each BC4. For example, general internet usage on Verizon Wireless uses the APN "vzwinternet". 

Installing the SIM card

  1. Document the SIM card BC4 serial numbers. 
    • It is recommended the user add the BC4 serial number into the custom "Name" field for the matching SIM number on the provider's website, allowing for easy identification in the future. 
  2. Ensure the BC4 is powered off. The display and front LCD lights should be darkened/off.
    • To power off the BC4, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. The BC4 display will show a red "POWERING OFF" banner. The camera cannot be powered off if it is recording an event. 
  3. Using a #1 Phillips screwdriver, unscrew all six screws from the back casing of the BC4 camera.
  4. Remove the back casing and carefully move the battery aside, without unplugging it, to access the SIM card slot.
    1. Screws.jpg  2. Battery.jpg
  5. Using a fingernail or small plastic tool, carefully slide the outer metal piece downward until it clicks (following the direction of the "OPEN" arrow on the tray). Lift the metal cover as shown below, mindful of its bottom hinge. 
    3. SIM tray.jpg  4. SIM tray opened.jpg
  6. Place the SIM card on the tray with the metal contacts facing down. The plastic portion of the card should be visible, with notched corner at the top left of the tray.
    5. SIM tray, card placed (zoomed), edited.jpg
  7. Secure the metal cover back into place by lowering it onto the card and sliding it up until it clicks into the "LOCKED" position. The cover should not be able to flip open, and the SIM card should be flush in place with the tray.  
      6. SIM tray, card locked (zoomed).png
  8. Replace the battery, back casing of the BC4 (with its plastic orange gasket), and all six screws. 
    7. replace battery.jpg    
  9. Turn the BC4 back on by pressing and holding the side power button for 3 seconds. 

Configuring and Enabling 4G

Once the SIM cards have been installed in the BC4 cameras, the devices must be configured with the data provider's Access Point Name (APN). 

  1. Log into SecuraMax with an admin account. On the top right of the navigation bar, locate and click "ADMIN", then click "DEVICES" from the admin menu.   
  2. On the "DEVICES" page, locate and click the "BC4 CONFIGS" button on the left navigation pane. 
  3. This will display a list of the current configurations used for BC4 Cameras. To create a configuration for BC4 4G devices, the user can choose to edit an existing configuration or create a new one. 
    • To edit an existing configuration, locate and click the blue "EDIT" button on the configuration row to modify it.
      • When selecting, note the "Assigned to Groups" column displaying the number of "Groups" the configurations are currently assigned to. BC4 and BC4 4G devices require different configurations. 
    • To create a new configuration, click on the green "CREATE" button on the top right corner of the page, which is highlighted above.
      • The "Create BC4 Config" page will display two required fields: "Name" and "Base This Config Off Of". Type a name for the configuration and select an existing configuration from the drop down menu.
      • The settings of the selected configuration will be imported into the new one, which will display on the following "Edit" page.  
  4. On the "Edit" page, scroll to the bottom to find the "Cellular Data" section.   
    • Select "On". 
    • Type the 4G provider's APN (the path a device uses to access the internet, explained above). 
    • Click the green "SAVE" button.
  5. If a new configuration was created in step 4, it must be assigned to the "Groups" using BC4 4G. To learn more about this, see SecuraMax-Admin: Managing Permissions. 
  6. Dock the BC4 cameras to install the new configurations. 
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