A kind soul has helped me advance my quest with the Option card, but still missing some puzzle pieces there.
HOWEVER MY QUEST MAY WELL END with the Huawei EM820U.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlocked-HuaWei ... 0852350157 It is currently fully functional on AWS 1700. I know someone on NBR who would be interested. For anyone else reading this, I am on Linux Debian 7.5.0 LXDE with sid/jessie repositories and this card is working on Videotron AWS network and also worked with my Koodo/Telus sim card over HSPA+ and this WWAN module is installed in a Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 MK2 WWAN ready. I do NOT know where to find Windows software for this board, nor have I searched.
Edit: WWAN connection software and drivers for Windows 7 and XP are here:
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds027690