---
title: Connect Your Modem
slug: hardware/connect-your-modem
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-03-11T07:10:25.852Z
---

# Prerequisites for MDM-NA Modems

- You must be using BrightSign Author version 1.6.31 or later.
- Your player must be running BrightSignOS 8.2.8 or later.

# Prerequisites for MDM-EU Modems

- You must be using BrightSign Author version 1.6.31 or later.
- Your player must be running BrightSignOS 8.2.80 or later so the data service connects properly. For instructions on how to update BrightSignOS, see [Update the Player OS](docId\:YuRogAgj103wwXgoDfMFj).
-  If your player was previously connected to the modem on a lower version of BrightSignOS, you must:
  - Upgrade to the later production version of BrightSignOS (8.2.80+).
  - Factory reset the player (see [Factory Reset a Player](docId\:ynCF7P2PYZo2qedF1JYim)).
  - Follow the setup instructions below.

# Setup

To set up your player, either boot a player with a setup file on an SD card, or through the activation screen with a blank SD card:

1. Factory reset an existing player and update your new player to BrightSignOS 8.2.72 or later.
2. Eject the SD card.
3. Insert the modem into the player.
4. Restart the player and wait for modem light to turn solid (not flashing) blue.
5. Insert the SD card with the setup files or the blank SD card. If you are using a blank SD card:
   - When the BrightSign activation screen appears, you should see the activation code on the screen.
   - Claim the player with the activation code through the [Activate](docId\:OOf-RmqHqFVLhokXI8ypJ) interface.

# Notes

- You cannot publish to a player that has been set up using LFN (Local File Networking).
- It can take up to 10 minutes to complete player activation using the modem, depending on signal strength in your area. 
- SFN setup may cause high data usage so we recommend that you set the **Content Check Frequency** to **Every 24 hours** (see the image below).

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